Chester Zoo is helping to restore lost woodland areas in Cheshire by planting tens of thousands of new trees.
In a bid to transform a low-biodiversity silage field into a major new sanctuary for UK wildlife, almost 19,000 trees have been planted on the Chester Zoo‘s land in Upton in Chester – which spans more than nine hectares – making it the zoo’s biggest habitat creation project to date, and one of the largest tree planting projects to take place in Cheshire in several years.
Forming part of a wider wildlife corridor across the North West region, a diverse mix of UK native broadleaf trees species have been planted – including oak, beech, and hazel.
The tree species have been chosen to provide “high biodiversity benefits” and a “resilience to climate change”, according to the zoo, while the layout has been designed to help butterflies, small mammals, and birds thrive.
We’ve planted a WHOLE woodland to help save UK Wildlife 🌳🐝
Planting 19,000 trees is seriously hard work! 😮💨 But this special place will be a thriving sanctuary for hundreds of species including bees, birds, badgers, foxes, harvest mice and a whole of variety of butterflies and… pic.twitter.com/SzVq7yqbYk
Woodland once covered large areas of Cheshire, however, this has now significantly reduced from the county, largely due to several development projects, agricultural expansion, pollution, invasive species, and also disease.
Conservationists at the zoo are hoping the new woodland will provide a home for a variety of plants and animals, as well as help to improve soil health and carbon storage to combat climate change.
According to Chester Zoo, the location for this new tree-planting initiative has been specially selected to link with two smaller woods and form one continuous woodland, which will ultimately improve habitat connectivity for local wildlife, and increase resistance to pests and diseases too.
Chester Zoo has planted 19,000 new trees to help restore Cheshire’s lost woodlands / Credit: Chester Zoo
“Woodland cover in Cheshire is significantly lower than the national average, explained Dr Simon Dowell, who is the Director of Science and Policy at Chester Zoo, “that’s why it’s so important, and so exciting, to have created such a valuable new habitat here at the zoo.”
He continued: “Chester Zoo is widely known for its work to protect species in places right across the world, but it’s important that we look after nature on our doorstep too.
“Having already established a nature reserve at the zoo, the creation of this latest large-scale habitat will deliver benefits for wildlife for decades to come, making a vital contribution to reversing the decline in biodiversity we’re facing here in the UK.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
News
Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build underground tram and train line in Manchester by 2050
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has announced some ambitious long-term plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester.
As Greater Manchester sets its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a ‘second city’ to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Mayor Andy Burnham shared the city region’s blueprint for a ‘greener, fairer future’ this week – with underground transport plans being right the heart of it.
Mr Burnham says his vision for the next decade is to create a ‘thriving’ city region where everyone can ‘live a good life’.
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester / Credit: TfGM
But it’s public transport where it seems some of the most significant changes are set to be made before 2050 arrives.
The Mayor revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines, and train stations to connect ‘thriving communities’ across the city region with an integrated lower-cost transport system that’ll help more people get out and access new opportunities.
Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will also start by 2028, it has been confirmed, while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport – which has already been announced to huge support – will begin by 2030.
Two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network next December as well, with another six joining by 2028.
GM is growing fast.
We will expand @BeeNetwork over the next decade to meet the needs of our bigger economy.
BUT
There’s a limit to what we can do on a congested surface.
It’s why I am asking TfGM to start planning for an underground for GM around a remodelled Piccadilly. pic.twitter.com/k2ozNWw6Wj
The headline-grabbing announcement, though, has to be that Mr Burnham has also announced plans to unlock ‘transformative’ investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050, Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool.
He’s also looking to boost regeneration of the surrounding area, effectively making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’.
“We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, “and our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents.
“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
“There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd October 2024 
