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Northumberland woodland with carbon capture rights comes to market

A recently planted 104-acre Northumberland woodland with the opportunity to purchase carbon capture rights, has come to market in three lots or as a whole with a guide price of £755,000.

The three blocks of native broadleaf woodland at Widdrington Plantations offer significant timber, carbon and sporting potential and are located  between Morpeth and Alnwick. The woodland was planted in 2021/22 with an existing revenue stream available through an England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).

Carbon rights are included in the sale of Lot 3 – Poppy’s Wood – which is ideal for business organisations looking to enhance their green credentials. Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) has recently undertaken an appraisal of the site and have awarded 6,491 verified Woodland Carbon Units (1 WCU = 1 tonne of CO2 sequestered), which are included in the sale.

The carbon rights are excluded from the sale of the other two lots.  All three lots have  excellent road frontage and access for timber maintenance or extraction.

John Coleman, Head of Farm Agency at GSC Grays, said: “This woodland is a high natural capital and sequestration resource. The three blocks  extend in total to 103.96 acres (42.07 hectares) with the objective of developing a diverse and adaptable native woodland, focused on delivering a more resilient species composition that has the ability to combat pests, disease, and climate change.

“The substantial carbon sequestration resource comprises predominantly mixed-species native broadleaf saplings and is located in an attractive area of Northumberland. Each site is generally level with gentle undulations lying between about 25m and 50m above sea level. The land is classified as Grade 3 with productive, slightly acidic clay loam soils.”

All the tree planting works are complete, and the wood is currently in its maintenance phase and all historic capital grants will be retained by the Seller. The EWCO agreement also provides annual maintenance payments of £350/ha over a 15-year period; designed to support the establishment and on-going maintenance of young trees. The purchaser(s) will be entitled to any future maintenance payments under the existing scheme.

Widdrington Plantations are on the market with a guide price of £755,000 through the GSC Grays Farm Agency Department: Tel 01423 590500 www.gscgrays.co.uk.

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