New woodland planned for Okehampton

Forestry England has announced plans to create a major new woodland near Okehampton, marking a significant investment in the Dartmoor landscape and the town’s natural environment.

The new forest, called Okement Wood, will cover 83 hectares of land between Abbeyford Wood and Berrydown Plantation, on the northern edge of Okehampton. It will form part of a wider programme to expand woodland cover across the South West, alongside a second new forest at Treborough in Exmoor.

Okement Wood will be planted with a mix of native and climate-resilient tree species designed to support local wildlife, absorb carbon, and help manage flood risk in the area. Once established, it will also provide open access for the public, offering residents and visitors new opportunities to walk, cycle and enjoy Dartmoor’s woodland landscape.

Forestry England’s forest management director in the west of England, Kevin Stannard, said the project represents an exciting new chapter for Okehampton and the surrounding area.

“Forestry England has been expanding the nation’s woodland cover since 1919 and Okement Wood and Blackwell Wood are natural extensions of forests we already manage in Somerset and Devon. Creating new forests from scratch is an exciting opportunity to apply the latest evidence-based forestry quite literally from the ground up, while ensuring that each woodland is designed sympathetically for its landscape.

“As planning gets underway, we are speaking to our immediate neighbours near both sites and will share our draft design proposals for wider public consultation next year. It’s important to us to hear from local residents so we can understand their needs and hopes for the sites as we develop our design plans.”

The creation of Okement Wood is part of the government’s Nature for Climate Fund programme, which supports projects that tackle climate change and biodiversity loss through woodland creation.

The announcement follows a period of extensive planting by Forestry England across the region, which has seen more than 200,000 trees planted at new sites including Dury Wood, Wagaford Wood, and Burriott Wood.

Planning for Okement Wood will continue through 2025, with a public consultation on draft designs expected in spring 2026.

Once complete, the new woodland will not only contribute to national environmental goals but also provide lasting benefits for Okehampton’s community, from improved air quality and flood management to new green spaces for recreation and wellbeing.