Issue details

To approve the White Rose Forest (WRF) Strategic Plan 2025-2050 - the overarching community forestry plan and vision for North and West Yorkshire.

Background papers

WRF Cabinet Report 8th July 2025

WRF Strategic Plan 2025-2050 recommended for approval

Stakeholder Engagement Survey Report

Public Engagement Survey Report

Background information

Public Engagement survey ran from 6 to 28 January 2025, comprising a number of multiple choice or rating / ranking type questions, with just over 300 responses received.

 This has helped raise the profile of the White Rose Forest and confirmed public support for the proposed long-term direction, level of ambition and approach outlined in the consultation document. In addition, it has provided useful input on the value the public place on trees and woodland and what they would like to see prioritised in the future. 

Some key findings in the Public Engagement report were:

·       Respondents overwhelmingly agreed (93% Strongly agree or agree) that we need more trees and woodland in North and West Yorkshire.

·       Many more respondents thought that trees and woodland close to where they live had declined (40%) rather than improved (25%) in the last 5 years. 

·       Respondents overwhelmingly supported the long-term direction and level of ambition outlined in the consultation document (91% Strongly support or Support)

The engagement of stakeholders, which has taken place throughout the Strategic Plan development process, has broadened the range of place and thematic input, including from:

·       District White Rose Forest Groups including Kirklees, Leeds, Calderdale, Bradford, Wakefield, North Yorkshire and York

·       Catchment Partnership workshops

·       Green Streets workshop

·       WRF Ancient Woodland Working Group

·       Local Nature Recovery Strategies (both North and West Yorkshire)

·       Community Engagement project

·       Data and Mapping workshops with wide group of stakeholders

A formal Stakeholder Engagement survey ran from 4 December to 17 January 2025, with responses received from a good range of stakeholders. Considerable support for the consultation document was expressed, with it aligning well the stakeholder policies, strategies and plans. 

Stakeholders raised many useful suggestions for how the strategic plan could be further developed / enhanced, which have all been considered in finalising the Strategic Plan.

All respondents confirmed they felt a degree of alignment between the consultation document and their policies, strategies and plans, with almost half indicating full alignment

All respondents confirmed support for the long-term direction and level of ambition, as articulated in the vision and targets, with over 70% indicating full support.