Ponds planned for growing woodland project
SuppliedPonds could be created and restored in the next stage of plans to expand a woodland.
The 20-acre (8-hectare) project at Emmaus Youth Village, near Consett in County Durham, was started in March and will consist of 7,500 trees.
The North East Community Forest (NECF), which is delivering the project, said the ponds would add wetland habitats to the area and attract more wildlife.
Peter Holder, chief executive of contractor Microsite, said he hoped the ponds could be completed by the end of the summer.
Orchards and wildflower meadows are also planned for future stages of the project.
The Emmaus Youth Village is a residential centre owned by Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
"It's a youth village so hopefully it'll support a lot of education there," NECF community advisor Bethan Kelly said.
"It's also very much based in the heart of the community so the idea is that the project, when it grows, will help with community well-being."
SuppliedHolder added the woodland and its other elements would maximise the "ecological, social and economic value" of the site.
"Ecologically through carefully selected species that together create a symbiotic relationship for a self-sustaining system, socially the site will provide a platform for introducing local people to the many benefits of connecting with natural environments and their local community," he said.
"Economically through an uplift in land value, improved customer experience and the creation of future carbon credits."
The project will also include walking paths and wildlife areas which the public can visit.
