Legal battle regarding Greencroft Estate Lanchester forest

The Greencroft Estate in Lanchester was set to become home to a 290-hectare forest with 600,000 trees after approval in early 2025.

A total of 31 different tree species including oak, birch, willow and hornbeam were set to be included in the development.

However, it has been revealed that Lanchester Properties Ltd has launched a legal challenge against the Forestry Commission for its approval of the Greencroft Forest scheme in County Durham, which will neighbour one of the company’s premises. 

Their complaints were initially thrown out in September, but following the request of an oral hearing, a judicial review will be carried out.

In the meantime, no works to bring the forest to life can take place.

Harry Humble, Chief Executive of developers True North Ltd, said: “We are understandably disappointed with the judge’s decision.

“This is a further costly delay to the planting of England’s largest contiguous commercial forest. We won’t be able to plant anything this spring, as the case will be locked up in the courts awaiting a decision, while the legal bill for the taxpayer continues to mount.

“Lanchester Wines claims strong environmental credentials, yet is challenging the Forestry Commission over a well-considered plan to plant a new forest that will help cut carbon and improve biodiversity.

“It is also protecting itself from costly legal bills by claiming legal dispensations. The delay will leave in the atmosphere the same amount of CO2 as produced by five fully loaded aeroplanes flying from London to New York.

He added: “This is merely delaying the inevitable. We are confident that the forest will be planted and that sense will prevail.

“The scheme is well considered and fully compliant meeting all the Government’s tree planting requirements.

“We expect the case to be granted in our favour at a later hearing, when the forest and planting will progress.

“We will continue to work alongside the Forestry Commission to obtain a timely decision. Nothing in this case warrants a judicial review.”

As previously reported, the forest is set to be tended and managed, with the first timber yield expected in 2045 and a total of 110,000 tonnes of homegrown timber produced in the first rotation.