The Forestry Commission has published a new case study confirming a 146‑acre woodland creation at Brook Farm in Herefordshire. Led by FW Thorpe PLC and profiled by Kate Thorpe, the project will establish 124,400 mixed broadleaf and conifer trees as part of the company’s carbon strategy. Benefits highlighted include public access, flood‑risk reduction, future timber supply and a clear plan for nature recovery.

Backed by the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), the scheme is designed to deliver environmental and social value alongside carbon removal. In the Commission’s short film, Kate Thorpe sets out why the company is investing in woodland as one strand of its wider plan to cut emissions first and offset only residuals.

FW Thorpe says it has purchased a wider 195‑acre Brook Farm holding to connect existing woods and welcome visitors in time, while the EWCO‑supported planting area within that estate spans 146 acres. Thorlux Lighting, part of the group, notes measures such as “leaky” woody dams and a path network to open up access.

EWCO is the government’s flagship grant for new woodland in England. It covers standard planting costs up to £10,200 per hectare, pays £400 per hectare per year for 15 years to help establishment, and offers additional one‑off contributions where design delivers public benefits-up to £3,700/ha for recreational access and £1,000/ha for flood‑risk management, among others. Rates were uplifted in March 2024.

What might those trees mean for carbon over time? Forest Research evidence, summarised by NatureScot, indicates typical net uptake in 2022–2050 of roughly 0.9–1.6 tCO2 per hectare per year for broadleaves and 1.8–12.0 tCO2 for conifers, depending on site and management. On 146 acres (about 59 hectares), that points to a wide range once the woodland is established-underscoring why species choice, soils and long‑term care matter.

Flood benefits are built into the design. Thorlux points to leaky dams that hold back peak flows, aligning with proven natural flood management methods. Forest Research’s Slowing the Flow at Pickering project combined woody structures, new woodland and storage to cut the town’s annual flood chance from around 25% to under 4%-not a silver bullet, but a measurable risk reduction communities can feel.

Biodiversity gains come from mixing species and creating varied structure. A 2025 Forest Research note finds that many multi‑species stands support richer wildlife and can store more above‑ground carbon than single‑species blocks, while a Royal Forestry Society review highlights stronger resilience to drought, pests and storms-and improved timber prospects-when foresters blend species intelligently.

People are part of the brief. The case study confirms that Brook Farm will provide public access, and new research from Forest Research this autumn links regular visits to new local woods with better mental wellbeing and a stronger sense of place. Designing paths, signage and rest points turns a carbon project into an everyday green space.

For businesses exploring UK‑based carbon removal, two checks help keep claims credible. First, prioritise deep emission cuts and set a science‑based pathway-FW Thorpe’s net‑zero target is validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Second, use recognised standards such as the Woodland Carbon Code, which audits projects and tracks credits on a public registry.

Planting is not the only route to new woods. EWCO also supports natural colonisation in suitable places, and UKCEH research shows passive rewilding can rapidly re‑establish native trees at low cost. Campaigners argue the option is still under‑used; the priority is choosing the right approach for each site so climate, wildlife and community goals move forward together.