Delamere Forest Plan 2026-2036

Forestry England is seeking your views on the new Delamere Forest Plan, which sets out our long-term vision for managing 1,034 hectares of woodland, wetlands and open habitats over the next ten years. The plan area lies around 12 km east of Chester within The Mersey Forest and includes Delamere Forest itself, the largest continuous woodland in the region, together with Primrose Wood, Abbey Wood, Thieves Moss, Hornby's Rough, Petty Pool, Abbots Moss, Hopyards and Uplands.

The plan aims to balance sustainable timber production with the protection of internationally important meres and mosses, the conservation of wildlife and cultural heritage, and the needs of the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the forest each year. It sets out proposals for woodland restructuring, habitat restoration, tree planting and sustainable harvesting to create a more resilient and diverse forest for future generations. 

Key objectives include:

Economy: Sustain the production of quality timber by diversifying tree species, improving woodland resilience to pests and diseases, and supporting local businesses and recreation-based tourism. 

Climate: Increase resilience to climate change through species diversification, woodland creation, habitat connectivity and long-term carbon storage, while creating forests better adapted to future conditions. 

People: Maintain Delamere as a welcoming and accessible destination for recreation, health and wellbeing, while enhancing landscape character, protecting cultural heritage and supporting outdoor learning and engagement.

The plan will also help conserve and restore valued habitats, including ancient woodland, wetlands, meres and mosses, while enhancing biodiversity across one of Cheshire's most important woodland landscapes.

Please select 'Supporting Documents' link below to open the Delamere Forest Plan and then select 'Tell us what you think' if you would like to leave any comments