FT Construction Group has planted a new community woodland, ‘Thompson Wood,’ in the Romanby area of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, in partnership with the White Rose Forest, the community forest for North and West Yorkshire.

More than 3,700 trees, including oak, beech, wild cherry, and Scots pine, have been planted across a 9.5-acre site. The tree species were carefully selected based on soil suitability and their diverse benefits, including biodiversity enhancement, carbon sequestration, climate resilience, and support for pollinators.

The White Rose Forest has supported the planning, planting and maintenance of the new woodland and have provided a grant to cover the cost of the project from their Defra-funded ‘Trees for Climate’ programme. The White Rose Forest team works with landowners across North and West Yorkshire to support tree planting projects of all sizes.

The land, originally purchased in the late 1960s by Stanley Thompson, former owner of Walter Thompson Contractors, has remained in the family’s private ownership. Today, Walter Thompson is part of the FT Construction Group, alongside sister companies Tom Willoughby and Langtons. The decision to transform the site into a woodland was made by FT Construction Group’s board of directors and shareholders, naming it ‘Thompson Wood’ to honour Stanley Thompson’s legacy.

For more than a century, FT Construction Group has been one of the largest employers in Northallerton. In creating this woodland, the company aims to give back to the community by providing a dedicated green space for future generations while contributing to a more sustainable future.

On Wednesday, 5th March 2025, Northallerton residents, 78 children from Romanby Primary School, members of the Romanby Parish Council, Northallerton BID, the WI, and employees from FT Construction Group came together to plant trees. Many participants used the ‘What3words’ app to pinpoint the exact location of their personally planted tree, ensuring they can return to see its growth in years to come.

Thompson Wood will not only serve as a valuable community green space but also align with FT Construction Group’s carbon reduction strategy and contribute to the UK Government’s Environment Act target of increasing tree cover to 16.5% by 2050. The woodland will enhance biodiversity by providing a habitat for wildlife and offer a tranquil environment for local residents to enjoy.

Following the completion of the tree planting on 5th March 2025, Thompson Wood will be carefully managed and protected for five years to allow the young trees to establish. The woodland is expected to officially open to the public in 2030, under the continued management by the FT Construction Group and the White Rose Forest.

Paul Blades, Director at FT Construction Group, said: “We are dedicated to creating and managing a thriving natural environment for the local community while supporting our carbon reduction goals. Thompson Wood is a long-term investment in sustainability and community well-being.”

Susan Greenwell, Shareholder and Director at FT Construction Group, and granddaughter of Stanley Thompson, added: “It fills me with immense pride to see the land my grandfather purchased being transformed into a new woodland. This initiative not only honours his legacy but also contributes to the UK’s Net Zero ambitions by 2050.”

White Rose Forest project officer, Emma Hosker said, “It has been brilliant to work with the team at FT Group, Scurrah Associates Ltd and the local community to create Thompson Wood. We’ve planted a wide range of native trees and incorporated open spaces into our design that will benefit both biodiversity and the local community.