Case Study: Land at Odell Project summary The site is owned by The Nature Recovery Project (TNRP), a Bedfordshire based charity whose goal is “the conservation and protection of the natural environment by promoting biological diversity”. Having worked with the Forest of Marston Vale Trust team in various capacities for over a decade, the TNRP trustees could be confident in partnering with them to develop a plan which would deliver on their objectives and be sympathetic to the site’s place in the landscape. The resulting scheme included 74,000 trees planted across 21 hectares of new woodland, 3 hectares of coppice and 2 hectares of natural colonisation and will connect two existing woodland areas, shrubby habitats and overstood hedges to form a significant wooded landscape of 150 hectares. Project description The Nature Recovery Project acquired the 42 hectare site at Odell in 2022 with the aim of planting trees to further their charitable aims and enhance the natural landscape. The site, to the north-west of Bedford, has most recently been set aside for pasture, having previously been used for arable farming. Its soils are predominantly of chalky clay. There are ditches with woodland and scrub edges running north to south across the site. Odell Great Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with a significantly diverse woodland flora sits to the south and Louse Acre Wood to the north. There are indications of late prehistoric and/or Romano-British settlements across the site with medieval field and farming systems, characterised by cropmarks and remnants of ridge and furrow ploughing. Map: 1820 OS map showing ‘Odell Wold’ – from ‘wald’ meaning ‘forest’ Design and planning The Forest of Marston Vale Trust was engaged to design and deliver a scheme which would deliver on the landowner’s objectives and be sympathetic to the site’s position and neighbouring woodland. The process involved consultation with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and Bedford Borough Council’s archaeologist, as well as the parish council and local landowners. The site is inherently complex, with a number of constraints, given the proximity of commercial solar and wind farms, sensitive sites with important biodiversity, public access needs and deer pressure. The ultimate design was developed to ensure that the planting type and protection would support the longevity of the new woodland, from a maintenance and sustainability perspective.Image: Google satellite image showing site (centre), proximity of woodland areas, solar farm to west and ancient boundary lines Woodland design and species selection The woodland has been planted in a number of compartments, with retained open space to protect below-ground archaeology and incorporating wide margins and rides. The trees are a native mix of broadleaves, mainly oak, hornbeam, wild cherry and field maple with some alder and willow suitable for wetter ground conditions on site. The addition of more minor species such as small-leaved lime and wild service, both found in ancient woodland, will add to the diversity of the woodland and improve future resilience. The species are complimentary to those within established local woodland, particularly within the adjacent Odell Great Wood and will aim to support and enhance extant biodiversity. Field maple Hornbeam Oak Habitat enhancements & deer protection measures Two areas of pure hazel have been planted to the north of the site where growth height restrictions apply for the solar panel farm. These can be managed on a coppice coupe rotation in future and will provide a useful source of material whilst supporting species such as the hazel dormouse. The retention of wide, tall hedgerows and scrub areas provide an attractive nesting and roosting site for the turtle dove which are present in small numbers across Bedfordshire. A smaller area of naturally colonising woody scrub (oak, birch, hawthorn, dog rose and blackthorn) to the north of the site has been retained and protected and provides some good evidence of the woodland generating capability and suitability of the site given time. Image: View across southern site with Odell Great Wood right, Louse Acre Wood left. Deer-fenced area and Compartment 4 with tree guards visible. Deer pressure is significant across the area, particularly as existing adjacent woodland provides cover for such animals, so 4.2 km of fencing (with access gates) have been installed to exclude them and other herbivores from browsing both colonised and planted areas of the woodland, with one compartment having individual tube protection. Project impact Contribution to net zero The newly planted trees will contribute to Bedford Borough’s target to become carbon neutral by 2030, and succeed in its aim of empowering residents, community groups, schools and businesses in the Borough to help them mitigate climate change. Nature and biodiversity The 42-hectare woodland site will link existing woods, shrubby habitats, and hedgerows to create a 150-hectare wooded landscape. Wide margins and rides will form light-filled edges and habitat transitions (ecotones), benefiting butterflies, pollinators, birds, and providing open grassland for owl hunting Flood mitigation The planting of new woodland on a sloping site located above the village and River Great Ouse valley will help to slow water run-off and improve water quality within the local river system. Public access, health and wellbeing There is an existing public right of way across the site allowing the local community to benefit from access to nature and the associated wellbeing benefits it brings. They will witness the establishment and development of a significant area of woodland and grassland habitat. Build a legacy The Forest of Marston Vale Trust helps landowners, farmers, schools, and communities enhance land and create green spaces. A Trees for Climate grant can cover up to 100% of planting costs, with ongoing support and payments for environmental benefits. Enquire now Manage Cookie Preferences