The announcement of the new Western Forest—the first designated national forest in England in over 30 years—marks a significant moment not only for the environment but for the entire timber and construction sector. With £7.5 million of government funding allocated and a target to plant 20 million trees across 2,500 hectares in the west of England, this long-term commitment brings renewed focus to the importance of homegrown timber as a sustainable resource.
Set to span across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, the Cotswolds, and into urban centres like Bristol, Swindon, and Gloucester, the Western Forest supports a strategic drive to increase England’s woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050—up from just 10% today. This increase will not only support climate goals but strengthen the future of UK forestry, woodland management, and wood supply chains.
At the Institute of Carpenters, we recognise how essential a sustainable domestic timber supply is to our members and the wider construction industry. The use of responsibly sourced, homegrown timber is vital for reducing embodied carbon in construction, supporting biodiversity, and encouraging innovation in modern methods of building.
The Western Forest initiative will also generate opportunities for green jobs, skills development, and investment in forestry and timber processing infrastructure—all positive news for our sector. As efforts to increase tree cover continue, we look forward to seeing how this work intersects with future-ready construction practices and aligns with wider government strategies around housing, education, and infrastructure.
This development builds on the momentum of the National Wood Strategy for England and supports the UK’s journey towards a more circular, low-carbon economy—something the IOC is committed to championing through industry collaboration and skills development.
We encourage our members—especially those in education and training—to engage with these developments and consider how increased woodland cover and timber supply may help shape the future of carpentry, joinery, and wood-based construction in the years to come.
Read more on the BBC article here.