A Devon council has bought 65 acres of land to develop a ‘community woodland’.
South Hams District Council said it hoped to plant around 25,000 trees on the site in the village of South Brent.
Local group Sustainable South Brent will help create an orchard and market garden in the woodland, and will use the site for education and community food production.
The council said the scheme formed part of its aims to help address the climate emergency and increase biodiversity by 20% over four years.
Council leader Julian Brazil said: ‘We are so thrilled and excited about this project.
‘It emphasises our priority around the climate change and biodiversity agenda, but it does so much more.
‘We will be working with local schools, social prescribers, and other local community groups. It will leave a lasting legacy for South Hams.’
The local authority will engage with residents and stakeholders over design plans ahead of a community planting event later this year.
