PLANS to create a major new wood on the outskirts of Witney have won a £50,000 boost from the National Lottery.

The £250,000 project for 22-acre Foxburrow Wood has been awarded £49,999 through the Big Lottery Fund.

It will pay for a car park and access into the woodland at Foxburrow Lane, Hailey.

Planting began last year and the Wychwood Project – which is behind the scheme – says oak, ash and hazels will tower above visitors by 2022.

Director Nick Mottram said: “We know from experience that woodlands are a really good thing for people, for wildlife and the landscape.

“There is an awful lot of woodland in West Oxfordshire, but an awful lot of it people don’t have access to.”

The charity bought the land three years ago and it is its 11th and biggest woodland project to date.

The Eynsham-based charity has also got funding from the Forestry Commission and the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment for the project.

The Lottery cash comes from the £57.5m Community Spaces scheme, managed by charity Groundwork UK.

Groundwork programmes director Wendy Jenkins said: “The volunteers at Wychwood have a strong track record in environmental improvement and this latest part of their project will be a valuable addition to their work.

“We are delighted to be able to support a project that will improve access to the countryside for all members of the community, particularly wheelchair users and parents with young children.”

  •  The Wychwood Project’s annual Wychwood Forest Fair is on Sunday, September 2, at Foxburrow Wood and includes stalls, food, competitions, a fun fair and morris dancers. Call 01865 815423.