Forest of Leeds - Swillington Bridge

Description : Sponsored by communications company Cable & Wireless and Yorkshire Forward, this new woodland was planted in 1999 on the site of a former re-graded colliery spoil, used for the past two decades as improved pasture for livestock. Extending south from the A642, the site forms a prominent hillside, bordered to the south, east and west by the existing Swillington Bridge Plantation. The aim is to 'soften' the view of the hill from the road and to blend this land area with the surrounding landscape, creating a Millennium Community Woodland within the Forest of Leeds.

As well as providing a valued landscape feature and a haven for wildlife, the site is being promoted as an area for quiet, informal recreation. Community involvement is very important and children from nearby Swillington Bridge Primary School actually helped to plant some of the trees.

A new permissive footpath is planned to facilitate access to the viewpoint at the top of the hill and link with the Leeds Country Way, the Trans-Pennine Trail and a small car park to the south of the site.

An area of mature Oaks (0.25 hectares) to the north of the new plantations has been fenced to exclude livestock and rabbits, in order to encourage natural regeneration. Where public safety allows, these mature trees will be allowed to over-mature and be managed as veteran trees.

The tree species used have been selected to complement those used throughout the Fleet Lane area reclamation plantings.

Access and facilities : No public access to young plantations at present, but the site is accessed via the Leeds Country Way and the Trans Pennine Trail.