Purpose

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.
 

Content

RESOLVED – That approval be given
to the White Rose Forest Strategic Plan 2025-50.