Representation by The National Forest Company (The National Forest Company)
- Date submitted
- 20 March 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The National Forest Company (NFC) leads the creation of the National Forest, a publicly-funded multipurpose forest for the nation across 200 square miles in central England. The NFC was established in 1995 and is a charity and Non-Profit Institution within the Public Sector sponsored by the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The National Forest Strategy 2014-24 is endorsed by Government and sets out the approach for the creation and management of the Forest over the next phase of its development. In excess of 9 million trees have been planted to date creating around 8,000ha of new habitats, transforming one of the least wooded areas of England. Around 25% of this has been delivered through Forest creation as part of new development. The site is located within the National Forest, where Policy INF8 (The National Forest) of the South Derbyshire Local Plan, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), expects developments to contribute towards the creation of the Forest. Accordingly, to comply with the NPPF, The National Forest Strategy and Policy INF8 of the Local Plan, the NFC considers the proposal must deliver significant woodland planting and not form a barrier to habitat connectivity.