The site incorporates a former opencast coal mine which now has a newly created lake, as well as former arable land and 7 hectares (17 acres) of existing ancient woodland and old hedgerows.

Situated between the villages of Normanton le Heath, Heather and Ravenstone, and close to Coalville and Ashby de la Zouch, it is in the middle of the National Forest.

The process of acquiring the site was complex, as it could only work if all the landowners could agree on the sale, and all the funding could also be put in place.

[3] Over a three-year period from 2007 to 2010 725,000 tons of coal had been extracted from the site known as Long Moor surface mine.

Oak, ash, field maple, silver birch, beech and hornbeam will be included in the woodland.