Wood will create royal legacy

The Jubilee Wood will be located at Kennel Farm, close to Stratton Business Park to the east of Biggleswade.

It is a joint project from Central Bedfordshire Council and the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC).

The wood will cover approximately 20 acres of land and will form an important part of the Biggleswade ‘Green Wheel’. a new project which aims to create a green circular corridor around the town.

Once archaeological surveys have been completed the design of the woodland will be undertaken with the help of the community.

Planting will be mainly native woodland species, but will also include a community orchard using distinctive varieties of fruit trees.

The woodland will also incorporate a ‘Jubilee feature’ to be chosen following consultation with the community over the summer.

The scheme will be funded by the Woodland Grant Scheme and the council’s Green Infrastructure Planning Obligations Fund.

The first phase of tree planting is expected to take place later this year.

Councillor Brian Spurr, executive member for sustainable communities at Central Beds Council said: “We are really pleased to be able to work with BRCC to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by providing a woodland for the whole community to enjoy.

“It is important to us that the community is involved in the creation of this Jubilee Wood so we hope that people will join us for the tree planting events later in the year.”

Cliff Andrews, green infrastructure team leader for the BRCC, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with Central Bedfordshire Council in this exciting project.”