A local council has bought 65 acres (26 hectares) of land in South Devon to create a community forest.

South Hams District Council said it plans to plant 25,000 trees on the site in South Brent to combat climate change and increase biodiversity by 20%.

It said the planting, which is due to begin later in the year, would be supported by a partnership with the Woodland Trust and its MOREwoods program.

The purchase was supported by the government’s Trees for Climate Land Acquisition Fund and will “leave a lasting legacy”, according to council leader Julian Brazil.

Trees “for every resident”

Mr Brazil said: “We will work with local schools, social services and other local community groups.

“It will leave a lasting legacy for the South Hams.”

“This is the start of our campaign to plant a tree for every South Hams resident,” he added.

As part of the forest area, the fields on the property would remain a productive landscape and parts of the site would be used as pasture, the council said.

It was added that an orchard and nursery would be established in collaboration with local group Sustainable South Brent (SSB) to deliver the project to the region.

Hayden Gabriel, Vice-Chair of the SSB, said: “The creation of diverse habitats and nature restoration in this forest area, increased local food production and a natural educational resource are just some of the many benefits that will result.”

The proposals will be presented to the local public at a drop-in event at the Old School Community Centre in South Brent on Wednesday 14 August.

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