Kingsbridge is getting a community woodland!

South Hams District Council has bought 17 hectares of land above Bowcombe Creek at West Charleton.

The new woodland, supported by Trees for Climate funding enabled by the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, will support the council’s aim to "plant a tree for every household in the South Hams" and create more space for nature and for people to enjoy.

The site has impressive views overlooking Kingsbridge Estuary and towards Malborough and Salcombe.

Plans have been shaped by consultation with the local community, including feedback about protecting important viewpoints and creating a circular walk.

The woodland will include around 9,000 trees in oak-rich woodland, around 1,000 trees in more open wooded areas and approximately 1,500 shrubs and occasional trees in scrub clusters. More than 8,000 shrubs will also be used to create valuable new hedgerows and hedgebanks, while a small orchard of local varieties of fruit trees will be planted.

The mix of woodland, scrub, hedgerows, orchard and restored grassland will provide a range of habitats for wildlife, including the Cirl Bunting, a Devon Special Species bird, as well as increasing wider habitat connectivity and buffering of the creekside tree line within this temperate rainforest zone.

More than 13 hectares of the site will be open to the public, with easy access from the existing Public Right of Way. Circular walks will also be possible, with seating and information at viewpoints.

There will be plenty of opportunities for local people to get involved with tree and hedge planting, and wildflower sowing this coming season, and with ongoing maintenance and wildlife surveys in the longer term.

Cllr Dan Thomas, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “Bowcombe Creek Woods is part of the council’s wider commitment to creating a greener, healthier South Hams for generations to come.

“By investing in nature, we are helping to tackle climate change, support wildlife and create welcoming outdoor spaces where communities can connect with their local environment.”

Cllr John McKay, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to create an accessible new woodland that will benefit local communities, wildlife and the wider environment.

“The woodland has been designed to make the most of this special location, with a varied mix of trees, hedgerows, grassland and scrub, while retaining the views that people value.

“It is particularly encouraging that residents, schools and community groups will have opportunities to get involved in planting and caring for the site. Their involvement will help make Bowcombe Creek Woods a true community woodland that people can enjoy as it grows and develops.”

The Woodland Trust has offered a grant through its MOREwoods scheme to support the planting of 10,000 trees and shrubs and the necessary deer fencing to protect them.

Planting will be led by ParkLife South West, who previously worked with the council to successfully deliver the 25,000-tree Hope Wood community woodland at South Brent.

They will help coordinate volunteer planting and involve local schools, groups and members of the community. Local organisations have also offered to help, including Force 4 Nature, Kingsbridge Natural History Group and Wild About Kingsbridge.

Work is expected to begin with the creation of a 750-metre hedgebank in October 2026, followed by deer fencing and delivery of the trees.

Planting is planned to take place from the beginning of December until the end of March 2027. A volunteer planting schedule will be promoted soon by ParkLife and we look forward to welcoming local residents to a planting event soon.