Experts in law firm Thrings’ agriculture, corporate and planning teams, including its Bath-based head of agricultural property, have advised on a deal to create the South West’s largest new forest in a generation.
The 422-acre woodland is to be established between Bath and Bristol by charity Avon Needs Trees. Once complete, the 100,000-tree Lower Chew Forest will be a major response to the climate and ecological emergencies.
Thrings is acting as the lead advisor on all legal aspects of the deal, with its lawyers helping secure vital government funding, buying the land and negotiating natural capital investment.
The team also helped in liaising with the project’s external funding partners.
Established in 2019, Bristol-based Avon Needs Trees is dedicated to creating new, permanent woodland across the catchment area of the River Avon.
It has already completed a series of projects in Bristol, Bath and Wiltshire, including the 100-acre woodland Great Avon Wood, near Whitchurch.
Its largest project so far, the Lower Chew Forest will feature a mosaic of new habitats, including wetlands, a mile of new hedgerows and species-rich grassland as well as its 100,000 trees and shrubs.
Opportunities for regenerative food production and agroforestry will also be explored.
Thrings’ team was led by head of agricultural property Neil Barbour, supported by partner Eve Laws, who is based in the firm’s Romsey office, and senior associate Joe Watkins and planning and environment solicitor Harvey Davis, both based in Bristol.
Neil, pictured, said: “The creation of this new woodland will be an important step in Avon Needs Trees’ work to contribute to the fight against climate change and we share their excitement in seeing the planting get underway.”
Avon Needs Trees CEO Dave Wood said the Lower Chew Forest would have huge significance for the West of England, particularly as the region has just 7.8% woodland cover compared to 13.2% across the whole of the UK.
“Our plans to create a forest-sized woodland and complementary habitats over 422 acres will bring a huge range of benefits to nature and our communities, including helping to tackle the climate emergency, improving biodiversity connectivity and providing a place for people to volunteer, learn and connect with nature.” He added.
Thrings also has offices in Swindon, London, Lydney and Ross-on-Wye.
