Salts Wood in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone, is a new community woodland planted with 22,000 native trees across about 13 hectares-around 33 acres. Hard‑surfaced paths are designed so wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs can complete a loop, making regular nature time simple for all ages.

This is a parish‑led project shaped by the Boughton Monchelsea Amenity Trust and local volunteers, turning former arable land into shared green space. Planting began in 2021; by June 2024 many saplings were already head‑height. In October 2024, work began to extend the accessible path into a full circuit to keep the site usable through wetter months.

Access to nearby woods is not a luxury. Forest Research estimates visits to UK woodlands save about £185 million a year in mental‑health treatment costs, with England accounting for most of that avoided spend. New research in 2025 adds that new woodlands provide unique benefits, from sensory experiences to stronger local pride.

Public access remains limited nationally, which is why inclusive design matters. Only about 26.6% of England’s woodland area currently has statutory or permissive access. A community wood with level, well‑signed paths like Salts Wood directly widens who can benefit-particularly families with buggies and people using mobility aids.

The build was also financially thoughtful. Maidstone Borough Council notes Salts Wood was completed using carbon funding. Across the Amenity Trust’s estate, biodiversity net gain credits are being offered-including at Salts Wood-so that habitat improvement helps fund long‑term care and monitoring.

For places looking to replicate this, England’s Woodland Creation Offer can support people‑centred design. Current additional contributions include up to £3,700 per hectare for new recreational access and up to £600 per hectare for woodlands close to settlements-on top of establishment and maintenance payments. These rates were uplifted in 2024 to strengthen community access.

There’s a bigger climate story too. As of 31 March 2025, 762 projects had been validated under the Woodland Carbon Code, covering about 38,705 hectares and projected to sequester 13.0 million tonnes of CO2 over their lifetimes-evidence that local woods like Salts Wood feed into national goals.

On site, the details invite wildlife and care. Local Scouts have installed bug hotels plus bat and owl boxes, while new bins and clear routes make it easier to look after the space. The ask from parish leaders is simple: use it, enjoy it, and help keep it tidy so nature and neighbours both thrive.