Woodland Creation on Vacant and Derelict Land - Market Engagement

Tender description

We previously engaged the market formally in November 2021. We are now presenting more detailed proposals for comment and feedback. This market engagement exercise seeks to test the scope, the services required and the contractual arrangements that will form the basis of the tender (to be published in later summer 2022). Also, it seeks to test whether a single organisation can fulfil the role of a Lead Delivery Partner, or whether multiple organisations are required to fulfil the brief. In short, this project aims to identify vacant, derelict and neglected land (owned by both private or public landowners) that is not suitable for housing or other development and to use public funding to ‘tip the balance’ with landowners in favour of woodland creation on this land, generating productive, beneficial spaces for communities that also improve biodiversity, sequester carbon and generate income. Lot 1: Our proposed contract will be seeking to deliver the following outcomes: Develop a pipeline of at least 5000 hectares of VDL by March 2024, with each site being verified through an assessment criteria provided by Defra. Plant a minimum of 2,500 hectares of new woodland on VDL between 2022/3 and 2024/5. A minimum of 500 hectares of woodland creation will be delivered in 23/24, with at least 2000 hectares planted in 24/25. 2500 hectares of VDL to be “enabled” by March 2025 Plant another 2,500 hectares of woodland on VDL from March 2025 up to March 2027, with the planting costs solely funded through third-party finance. That the design of the 5000 hectares of woodland to enable a contribution to the Nature for Climate Fund Tree Programme’s environmental, economic and social objectives: Sequestering carbon up to 2050 Improving air quality Improving biodiversity Increasing public access to woodland Improving the future financial sustainability of woodland creation Leverage a minimum of £41 million private investment to deliver a balance of quality woodland creation and quantity of hectares.