Land at Palstone

We are working with the Woodland Trust and Sustainable South Brent to create a varied woodland landscape on 65 acres of land at Palstone, South Brent.

We have secured government funds for the land at Palstone through the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest. 

Working in partnership, we are creating a woodland creation plan for around 25,000 trees that will deliver a wide range of uses that benefit people, nature and climate. 

The proposed uses include:

Woodland and Pasture

  • Create 55 acres of woodland, pasture and wetland that will provide a range of habitats for wildlife, capturing and storing carbon. The new habitat will bring diversity to the land and will benefit birds, bats and insects as key species for conservation.
  • Allow the grazing of open woodland pasture, helping to maintain important wildlife habitats and supporting sustainable and locally sourced meat. 

Market Garden and Orchard

  • 10 acres of community managed land producing fruit and vegetables.
  • A meaningful contribution to local food production – supporting local residents.

New Public Access

  • Proposed new areas for local residents for walks, rest and relaxation.
  • The largest new publicly accessible site in South Brent for a generation.   

The restoration of Horsebrook

  • Restoration of Horsebrook in a wider flood plain.
  • Benefits for water quality, flood alleviation and wildlife.

Community woodland

  • We hope to plant over 5,000 trees (a tree per resident) with the local community.
  • Ongoing interaction, education and involvement of the community with the development of the woodland wider site. 

We want to hear views of local residents and organisations on these proposals. To send us your views please contact us via our email.

Along with The Woodland Trust, we particularly want to hear views on the woodland creation, pasture, wetland and public access proposals.

Sustainable South Brent are also interested in hearing views about their opportunity to deliver the Market Garden and Orchard.

During August, there will be:

  • A community drop in event from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Wednesday 14 August in the Aune Room, Old School Community Centre in South Brent.
  • More information about the market garden and orchard on SSB's website.
  • Ability to provide comment to the Council via parks@swdevon.gov.uk 

The Woodland Trust and Sustainable South Brent are very keen to hear from anyone able to volunteer to help their charitable work delivering this partnership project for South Brent. 

This project has been supported by a wide range of organisations including DEFRA and the partners on the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest – including Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon County Council and The National Trust.