A major project to transform a vast ancient woodland has begun after a £2 million deal to protect the site from harm.

Great Wood, a 175-acre ancient woodland near Grittenham, was bought by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in early 2023 after a £2.1 million grant from Biffa Award.

The conservation charity purchased the site, which is one of the 20 largest ancient woodlands in the county, to protect it from “harmful commercial management or piecemeal ownership.”

At the time they announced plans to turn it into a nature reserve, and a major tree planting programme has now been started.

Protecting Great Wood was identified as a priority for the trust as it boasts some of the largest remaining wild service trees in Wiltshire, with some more than 200 years old.

The tree planting programme is part of a wider scheme to restore Great Wood to its “former glory”, creating benefits for wildlife and the public.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Tree planting at Great WoodTree planting at Great Wood (Image: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust)

James Ravine, head of fundraising, marketing and communications at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Purchasing Great Wood has made a magnificent addition to the existing 800 acres of woodland that the Trust manages for nature.

“This project also goes much further than the boundaries of Great Wood, making an important contribution to broader plans for nature’s recovery through collaboration with local landowners to create a local nature recovery network.

“We were extremely grateful for the magnificent funding from Biffa Award and other generous donors that has enabled us to buy and restore Great Wood.”

Representatives from primary funder Biffa Award joined staff and trustees, along with local MP James Grey, at the tree planting event.

Biffa Award Chair Stewart Goshawk said: “It is a privilege to have been able to play a part in saving the future of Great Wood from commercial management or piecemeal ownership.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Great Wood, WiltshireGreat Wood, Wiltshire (Image: Ellie Dodson)

“Having seen Great Wood first hand, it really is a fantastic site, so worthy of our one-off Biffa Award 25th anniversary award.

“Securing land to protect increasingly rare habitats like this for a variety of key species is extremely important for our natural environment and will provide managed opportunities for local people to enjoy its beauty for generations to come.”

As well as tree planting, large swathes of conifers are being replaced with native broadleaf trees to create new woodland glades and provide more space for rare wild service trees to flourish.

There are also possibilities for the reintroduction of several types of butterflies.