The South Yorkshire Forest Partnership works closely with the region’s local authorities and development agencies as well as public bodies such as the Forestry Commission and Natural England.

The Partnership’s expertise in environmental regeneration provides a focus for the development of public sector strategy for the green recovery of South Yorkshire’s post industrial landscape and economy. We also have an excellent track record for securing funding for projects from European, national and regional development agencies. Our achievements in delivering successful environmental regeneration programmes, are far reaching, demonstrating a wide range of outputs including landscape and habitat improvements, access provision, green infrastructure, good green space management practices, local green fuel procurement policies and employment. All of which works to enhance ‘liveability’ for the communities of South Yorkshire with knock on benefits for the social and economic climate of the region.

As a direct result of the South Yorkshire Forest Partnership’s work, over £14.63 million has been invested in environmental regeneration programmes. That is a gearing of over 18:1 for every pound that the local authorities put into the programmes.

Over 2006- 07 the South Yorkshire Forest Partnership’s ‘Creating a setting for investment’ project is investing £150,000 at the Brookfields Park development site. This former coal mine spoil heap is being developed as a flagship commercial investment location. As a key area of the Dearne Valley Strategic Economic Zone, creating a substantial environmental setting here is vital.  A large part of the site is currently un-restored and creates a sizeable and significant deterrent to attracting investment. The CSI contribution along with a further £180,000 from the South Yorkshire Forest Partnership’s forestry resource grant scheme will help create 40 ha of woodland, incorporating a comprehensive path network, access controls and interpretation. Other funding for the project is coming from Rotherham MBC and Yorkshire Forward.

In May 2005 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council working in partnership with the South Yorkshire Wood Fuel Project, became the first Council in the country to implement a pro-biomass energy policy in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. The installation is the largest residential woodfuel district heating system in the country, heating 166 flats, and in 2006 won the prestigious Ashden Award for pioneering sustainable energy projects. The Partnership is working with Yorkshire Forward to ensure that more biomass boilers will be installed in the region over the next few years. Demand for wood, a sustainable fuel, is growing and the purchase of the new equipment will boost the supply chain, making the wood energy market more attractive and cost effective for local authorities and businesses considering sustainable energy solutions.

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