A former Chorley pit is to become a large ‘flagship’ community woodland site with more than 60,000 trees.
The old Chisnall Hall colliery at Coppull Moor will have more than 4,000 trees planted there this winter.
This will add to the two fields that have already been planted as the first stage of a master plan that will eventually see more than 60,000 trees forming a 145 acre site.
There will be thousands of metres of new paths and a viewpoint area where walkers will be able to enjoy panoramas across the county.
It is one a number of new Lancashire Jubilee Woodlands around the county.
An oak tree was planted to mark Lancashire County Council’s programme to establish a new public woodland in each district in honour of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
A ceremony was held at Beacon Fell Country Park at the site of what will become the flagship Diamond Wood in the programme.
County Coun Geoff Driver said: “Woodlands from Waste is an existing scheme to plant 2.5 million trees in Lancashire over the 25-year life of the current contract to process people’s household waste.
“Wherever possible these woods will provide access to allow people to enjoy them and they may be adopted by them as a new asset to their community.
“The woodland projects begun in 2012 have been dedicated to the public for The Queen’s Jubilee. We are creating something which marks Lancashire’s special relationship with the monarchy and creates a lasting legacy for the benefit of current and future generations.”
Flagship Lancashire Jubilee Woodlands will also be planted on sites at Wycoller Country Park in Pendle, as well as a number of smaller woods in other locations.
The scheme is still under development, with sites for the woodlands in two districts still to be confirmed. The aim is to create a special benefit to visitors at each, such as easily accessible walking trails.
Representatives from district, parish and town councils, and other interested parties such as schools and members of the public, are being invited to join groups chaired by local county councillors to ensure that communities can gain the maximum benefit from the new woodlands.
Lancashire County Council has already consulted local people about the Chorley scheme.
The planting is part of Lancashire’s Woodlands from Waste programme and is being funded with grants from the Forestry Commission.
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