Historic Environment Opportunity Map For New Woodland

The Historic Environment Opportunity Map for New Woodland dataset identifies areas in England that may be suitable for new woodland, based solely on available Historic Environment data. The dataset categorises land by different opportunity ratings to reflect the potential suitability of land for woodland creation while acknowledging areas of uncertainty due to data availability.

The purpose of this dataset is to guide landowners, planners, and decision-makers in considering woodland creation from a historic environment perspective. It should be noted that this dataset only considers the Historic Environment and therefore the opportunity ratings do not guarantee or preclude approval for woodland creation proposals.

As any forestry proposal could have the potential to affect the Historic Environment you should contact your local historic environment service. The local historic environment service can provide further data to support woodland creation proposals.

NHLE is the official, up to date register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England.

SHINE is a single, nationally consistent dataset of non-designated historic and archaeological features from across England that could benefit from land management schemes.

The opportunity ratings are as defined:

· Favourable - Areas deemed suitable for new woodland on consideration of available Historic Environment data.

· Neutral - Areas deemed neither favourable nor unfavourable for new woodland on consideration of available Historic Environment data. Proposals in these areas will require additional consideration of the Historic Environment on a case-by-case basis.

· Unclassified - Areas, where SHINE data has been supplied, with no assigned opportunity rating. This illustrates a current absence of recorded data from a Historic Environment perspective. However, as SHINE data is included in the dataset for this area, a degree of confidence may be inferred when considering the absence of historic environment features.

· Unclassified (No SHINE supplied) - Areas, where SHINE data has not been supplied, with no assigned opportunity rating. This illustrates a current absence of recorded data from a Historic Environment perspective.

· Unsuitable - Areas deemed unsuitable for new woodland on consideration of available Historic Environment data.

Unclassified areas may be suitable or unsuitable for new woodland. To better understand these areas, contact the local historic environment service in accordance with the UKFS and Historic Environment Guidance for Forestry in England - GOV.UK

The datasets included in each opportunity rating are as follows:

Favourable

· Lost Historic Woodlands (ArchAI/Forestry Commission) – An A.I. dataset that identifies areas of woodland depicted on early 20th Century Ordnance Survey mapping which have since been lost.

Neutral

· Historic Parklands (Zulu Ecosystems) – an A.I. dataset that identifies areas of parkland depicted on early 20th Century Ordnance Survey mapping.

· World Heritage Site Core data (Historic England) – Core areas of World Heritage Sites, as designated by UNESCO.

· World Heritage Site Buffer (Historic England) – Buffer zones surrounding World Heritage Sites, as designated by UNESCO.

· Ridge and Furrow (Low) (ArchAI) – an A.I. dataset that identifies areas of less well-preserved historic ridge and furrow derived from LiDAR data.

Unclassified

· HER Boundaries (SHINE supplied) – Geographic areas covered by local historic environment services, where SHINE data has been supplied to the Forestry Commission.

· HER Boundaries (No SHINE supplied) - Geographic areas covered by local historic environment services where SHINE data has not been supplied to the Forestry Commission.

Unsuitable

· Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) (local historic environment services) – regional datasets that provide information on the historic character of the landscape.

· Scheduled Monuments (Historic England) – Protected archaeological sites of national importance.

· Scheduled Monuments Buffer – A 20 metre buffer surrounding Scheduled Monuments in-line with UKFS.

· Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (SHINE)(local historic environment services) – National dataset of non-designated heritage assets.

· Registered Parks and Gardens (Historic England) – Parks and Gardens designated as being of national significance.

· Registered Battlefields (Historic England) – Battlefields designated as being of national significance.

· Ridge and Furrow (High) (ArchAI) – an A.I. dataset that identifies areas of well-preserved historic ridge and furrow derived from LiDAR data. Attribution statement: © Forestry Commission copyright and/or database right 2025. All rights reserved. 

Tags: England, Heritage, archaeology, environment, landscape, new planting, woodland
Organization: Forestry Commission