Cumberland Council, in partnership with Raise: Cumbria Community Forest, has secured £107,000 in funding to plant over 9,000 trees and improve public access around Cummersdale, Carlisle. This project marks a significant step forward in creating new woodland habitats and enhancing biodiversity, as well as contributing to the region’s climate resilience.
Raise: Cumbria Community Forest, spans over 1,800 square miles along the western edge of the Lake District National Park, from Carlisle in the north to Barrow-in-Furness in the south. Funded by Defra’s Nature for Climate Scheme, the initiative brings together foresters, artists, researchers, policy makers and community stakeholders to combat climate change and enhance biodiversity through the creation of woodland corridors. By planting trees in priority areas, Raise aims to reduce the impacts of flooding, improve air quality, provide nature-based solutions to climate challenges and increase access to green spaces for local communities
The Cummersdale project will transform 5.8 hectares of former grazing land owned by the council, located west of Cummersdale village and south of the Pirelli factory, into a diverse mix of new woodland, scrub, and grassland habitats. This re-purposing effort is designed to enhance biodiversity while also improving public access, creating a vibrant and accessible natural space for both wildlife and the local community to enjoy.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“This project represents a significant step forward in our commitment to creating greener, more sustainable communities in Cumberland. By transforming this land into a thriving mix of woodland and grassland habitats, we are not only enhancing biodiversity but also providing a space where residents can connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of a healthier environment. This is a vital investment in both our communities and our future”.
James Cobbold, Director at Raise: Cumbria Community Forest said:
“Cumberland Council is a key strategic partner of Raise: Cumbria Community Forest and we have loved working with them to develop this site. By working in partnership and delivering meaningful consultation and engagement with the local community we have been able to co-design and co-deliver a scheme that works for both people and nature. We look forward to maintaining and building on these relationships with stakeholders into the future to ensure that the woodland grows and thrives.”
Work has already started on a 400-metre compacted stone footpath across the western portion of the site. The path is being constructed by local contractors Kirkaldy & Roe Ltd and is scheduled for completion by Spring 2025. This initiative has been developed following extensive consultation with the local community and parish council. Raise Cumbria has collaborated with the council to create a detailed planting plan, which has been submitted as part of a “change of land use” application to the planning department.
In addition, the Raise Cumbria team have delivered a series of creative activities led by artists, foresters and expert facilitators. Artist Sneha Solanki worked with a group of asylum seekers (in collaboration with Tullie) to explore their relationship to woodland and green spaces including their potential as a community food source and a way to improve health and wellbeing. Discussions also helped to identify and reduce barriers to access.
The Cummersdale site is one of many planting projects funded by Raise: Cumbria Community Forest each year, in support of a 25-year vision to establish corridors of woodland along the west coast of Cumbria - bringing tangible benefits to the environment and local communities. Work at Cummersdale will continue in phases, with further updates anticipated in the coming months.