Pennine Edge Forest

Pennine Edge Forest is a community woodland initiative on the eastern edge of Greater Manchester. The initiative covers the districts of Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside and is a partnership of the four local authorities, Forestry Commission, United Utilities, Groundwork Trusts, and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. The partnership was formed in 2003.

Although there are many superb existing woodlands within Oldham and the Pennine Edge Forest, such as those at Tandle Hill and Daisy Nook, only 3% of the initiative area is wooded, compared to 9% for England as a whole. The Council’s Woodland Strategy adopted in 2002, has within it targets to increase the amount of woodland cover in Oldham from 3% to 5% by 2010.

Woodlands are wonderful habitats not only for wildlife, but also for recreation and education. Trees act as natural air filters, removing pollution and dust from the atmosphere. They also can improve the image of an area, for example, regenerating derelict land making it more attractive for investors and for those who live and work in the area.

The Pennine Edge Forest provides a fantastic opportunity for the region and represents the long-term commitment made by Oldham and its partners to increasing the quality and percentage of tree and woodland cover, and improving the environment for everyone who lives, visits and works within the area.

Objectives

As well as working to create new woodlands and manage existing woodland areas, Pennine Edge Forest will also:

Work with local communities to offer opportunities to get involved in practical activities;
Develop community events and educational opportunities for schools;
Bring neglected woodlands back into use;
To improve and enhance local habitats for wildlife and plants;
Provide accessible recreational woodlands on the doorstep of urban neighbourhoods; and
Develop innovative ways to green local neighbourhoods, business landscapes and encourage private landowners to plant new woodlands on unused land.

Business Action Plan

The Pennine Edge Forest Partnership launched its Business Action Plan in 2004. (The Executive Summary and full document can be viewed ).The first trees were planted and woodland managed during winter 2003, marking the start of the Pennine Edge Forest, and the beginning of a ten-year project to increase both the quality and percentage of woodland within the forest area.

Projects and Activities

Within Oldham, the Council on behalf of Pennine Edge Forest has delivered many different and innovative projects with it partners.These have included:

The free Trees for Schools campaign
The annual Woodland Festival
Extension of the Delph Donkey route for cyclists, horse riders and walkers, from Knarr Lane to Bailey Mills.
Woodland management at Tandle Hill, Glodwick Lows, Leesbrook Nature Park, Bankfield Clough, Dunwood Park and Leavers Wood, amongst others.
Oldham Tree Week and Working with Wood Day
New entrance feature and car park to Oldham Edge
Access improvements and security measures to prevent off-road motor cycling within Leesbrook Nature Park, Bankfield Clough and Delph Donkey
Signage and interpretation
Development of newsletters
Development and distribution of the free Teaching with Trees resource pack to all junior and infant schools in Oldham.
Schools ground improvements and tree planting
Contribution to a Greater Manchester wide study into off road motorcycling The full report and a summary version can be viewed
Oldham Council’s woodland grant scheme for new areas of woodland and hedgerow planting.

Funding

Oldham Council has provided some small seed funding from its Capital Programme towards the development of the Pennine Edge Forest in Oldham. However, it has also been possible to lever in and secure additional resources from external partners and funding agencies to support the work that has taken place. These include:

European Regional Development Fund
Onyx Environmental Trust
United Utilities Land Care
Greening Greater Manchester Landfill Tax
Forestry Commission
Green Tips
Countryside Agency
Contributions secured through planning obligations
Peak Park Sustainability Fund
Voluntary contributions of time and effort from local community and interest groups.

Further Information

Forestry Commission provides information about woodland management, felling licence and also offers grants for a number of woodland activities. The website can be accessed along www.forestry.gov.uk. For information about grants and licences in England see www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6dfk2u

Pennine Edge Forest coordinator at Rochdale MBC on 01706 924234 or pef@rochdale.gov.uk or Oldham representative Liz Kershaw on 0161 770 4168 or pef@oldham.gov.uk

Oldham’s Woodland Strategy, for a copy or more information, please contact: Liz Kershaw 0161 770 4168 or pef@oldham.gov.uk.

Woodland Grants The Council offers discretionary grants to individuals and groups for the establishment of new areas of woodland and hedgerow. Subject to availability, the Woodland Grant can be 50% of the total eligible cost of the project up to a maximum of £1,000. Please contact Joanne Astridge on 0161 770 4186 to request an application form and further information.