At Forestry England, we're expertly creating a new woodland on land we have purchased near Smarden, in Kent. The new 66-hectare woodland will become a new green space for you to explore and enjoy. It will also provide a valuable habitat for wildlife and produce sustainable timber to support a greener economy.
We'll carefully select tree species that suit the local soil and will thrive in today’s climate, while also being resilient to future conditions as the trees grow and mature. The woodland will include a mix of broadleaf and conifer trees and include open areas to support nature and add visual interest to the landscape.
Work in progress
We’re in the early stages of developing our plans for the new woodland at New Luckhurst. Over the coming months, we’ll carry out detailed surveys to better understand the site and its surroundings.
We’ll also invite local people to share their views and ideas to help shape our designs for the new woodland, ahead of a formal public consultation in spring 2026.
This new woodland is one of the many we're creating across the UK to grow the nation's forests, with support from the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DeFRA) Nature for Climate Fund.
Frequently asked questions about the creation of New Luckhurst
We'll carefully plan in detail the trees that will be planted in the new woodland. Using a mix of tree and shrub species will help make the wood resilient to climate change and tree diseases, whilst also supporting a wider range of wildlife.
Some areas will be planted with a mix of trees, including broadleaved trees and conifers. This will complement the local landscape, provide seasonal colour and increase resilience.
We're in the early stages of creating our design for the new woodland. Public feedback and surveys will inform our detailed plans for the new woodland. Our aim is to create the new woodland over the next couple of years with initial planting beginning in winter 2026/27.
We will post key updates on this webpage as the project progresses.