The M6 Corridor

In contrast to the DUN Survey, which deals with the transformation of land to woodland or other soft-end uses, this study analysed existing woodland. Specifically, it assessed the potential for major woodlands to act as economic or recreational development sites along the M6 corridor.

The PBRS was used to assess all the blocks of woodland within 20 minutes drive time of all M6 junctions running through the Northwest. This has allowed the Forestry Commission to strategically assess the social, economic and environmental potential of each site, filtering the different blocks of woodlands to assess where public money can have the greatest impact.

This revolutionary approach means that each site can be targeted individually, in the same way that each DUN site under Newlands was assessed according to its own specific criteria.

The public benefit assessment revealed that woodlands in the south, close to major urban conurbations, had much different personalities in socio-economic and environmental terms, to those sites further north in Cumbria. For example, woodland in Cheshire offers a quality sylvan setting for new forest gym, while those blocks in north Lancashire are much more suited for use as forest parks.

The study has proven to be another valid application of PBRS, and one from which other agencies across the UK can learn.