The 'Forest of Bradford' is a new partnership between Brad-ford council, Bradford Envir-onmental Action Trust (BEAT), the regional Agenda 21 group and the National Urban Forest-ry Unit. The 'Forest' will be an accumulation of all woods and plantings in the district, which includes the Keighley area. A land bank and directory of potential sites is being drawn up by officers and landowners.

Worth Valley councillor John Cope has welcomed the scheme. "I feel this is an important initiative," he says. "In addition to the report I have asked officers to explore the feasibility of a commercial forest in the upper reaches of the Worth Valley."

Under the scheme, tree cover will be significantly increased over the next five years. A cross-section of the community will be involved. It is also hoped to promote a woodland-based economy.

"The development of a diverse range of plantings and species through this programme, and ultimately inc-reased timber, should support the local supply of a vastly under-utilised resource," adds Cllr Cope. "Bearing in mind our district is two-thirds rural, this focus on local timber production and processing is in many other regions a cornerstone of economic activities."

A worker has been appointed by BEAT to develop the programme and £35,000 has been secured from the Landfill Tax Funds. The money will cover the first year's costs when further funding sources wil be identified. A report to the Local Agenda 21 sub-committee recommended that a detailed work programme should be drawn up by spring 1999.

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