THE planting of a new woodland inspired by Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year is set to be given the green light by city planners.

The Cultural Legacy Community Forest, which will cover an 11-hectare site off Mab Lane, West Derby, has been trumpeted as “the world’s most colourful woodland”.

More than £700,000 is expected to be spent planting the wood if the proposal is passed by Liverpool council’s planning committee next week.

Although there has been one objection from a resident complaining the project will have a detrimental effect on the value of their house, planning officers say this is “not a consideration” for them and have recommended giving the bid the seal of approval.

The news was last night welcomed by supporters of the initiative, including the North West Development Agency and the Forestry Commission.

Former Liverpool culture supremo Phil Redmond has also been a keen supporter of the plans, which were hatched at the end of the opening ceremony, when a decision was made to plant a tree for every person who attended.

As a result, the community forest will contain more than 40,000 trees.

At the time, Mr Redmond said: “It is fantastic all the various agencies in the city and region have come together to engage with the community and create something to lead us from Capital of Culture into Liverpool’s year of the environment.

“It will also be a true and real sustainable legacy.”