The aim is to plant 50 million trees by 2032 which would provide a timber industry, leisure opportunities and environmental benefits.

[1] The proposed forest would run the whole width of England from Liverpool and Chester in the west to the coastline of the East Riding of Yorkshire including the cities of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull.

[5] The forest would seek to provide timber and biomass for industry as well as a leisure resource, reduce flood risk and improve air and water quality.

[4] It is hoped that a market for timber could be found in the biomass power stations in the M62 motorway corridor, which generate up to 10% of the UK's electricity and require up to 10 million tonnes of fuel per year.

[6] The initial planting will be close to the cities, with an aim to increase coverage in this area to 20%.