A new tree nursery in Moira is to be developed by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with the National Forest Company - with the aim of growing 20,000 new trees a year to plant across the region.

The project is to develop a new community-focused nursery involving local groups and organisations to help collect seeds for trees in Leicestershire and the National Forest.

It will be trialled for four years - with ambitions to inspire other communities to start up tree nurseries.      

Work on the site located in the heart of the National Forest in Moira is due to start soon, with phase one of the project involving the development of the site, access, infrastructure, polytunnels and growing beds.

Seeds will be collected and planted later this year and the trees will eventually help to support the council's ambitious plans to increase the level of tree planting across Leicestershire and the drive to eventually plant 700,000 - one for every person in the county.

The nursery will also supply the NFC and potentially other local authorities – although most of the trees grown at the site will be planted within the county.

Leicestershire County Council has leased the site at Hanging Hill Farm in Moira from the National Forest Company, and will develop, run and manage the nursery, with investment from both sides.

Leicestershire County Council chairman Dr Kevin Feltham and Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda

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The nursery will eventually offer opportunities for apprenticeships, volunteering and lifelong skills training.

It is being created to ensure a regular supply of healthy, high-quality trees to meet the council's increased demand, as it pledges to increase the level of tree planting across Leicestershire.

The council adds that the development of the nursery will help to safeguard against national shortages of key tree species such as oak, to increase biosecurity and cut the risk of disease by reducing the transportation of trees around the country and reduce carbon emissions.

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda, said: "Tree and woodland planting is a vital part of our response to the climate change and biodiversity crises and Leicestershire County Council is working towards helping to plant a tree for every resident in the county.

"The development of our own tree nursery, in partnership with the NFC, will allow this planting to take a huge stride forward by securing and protecting the supply of trees, as well as ensuring that we are able to grow the best and most appropriate trees for our needs.

"The project will also help to build skills and knowledge providing valuable apprenticeship and volunteering opportunities."

The council says it has developed a Strategic Plan, which recognises the importance of the natural environment and the countryside in making Leicestershire an attractive place to live and work, as well as playing a role in the ambition for the county to be net zero for carbon by 2045.

Councillor Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda and Louise Driver, head of operations for the National Forest

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More information on the council's tree ambitions and an interactive map showing the number of trees planted is available HERE.

While the National Forest has trebled forest cover over the last 30 years, Leicestershire is still one of the least wooded areas of the country with currently around six per cent woodland – well below the national average of 10 per cent.

Trees play an important part in providing clean air, improving soil quality, reducing flooding, storing carbon and supporting wildlife, so increasing woodlands can significantly improve quality of life.

John Everitt, Chief Executive of the NFC, said: "This tree nursery project represents an exciting collaboration between the National Forest Company and Leicestershire County Council, and we look forward to seeing the nursery grow local seeds into healthy trees that will be planted to benefit nature, communities and our wider environment."