--- title: "National Trust- NI - Castle Ward Woodland Restoration" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY" published: "2026-07-15" --- # National Trust- NI - Castle Ward Woodland Restoration Buyer: THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac.json) ## Summary The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is inviting tenders for the Castle Ward Woodland Restoration project in Northern Ireland. This tender falls under the category of agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural, and apicultural services, with a focus on sensitive management of ecologically significant broadleaf woodland within the Strangford Lough Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The procurement is currently in the tender stage, with proposals due by 10th August 2026 and the contract expected to be awarded by 19th August 2026. The restoration activities are set to commence on 1st October 2026 and continue through to 1st August 2028. This tender presents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in forestry management, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in invasive species control and habitat restoration. Given the project's emphasis on compliance with environmental legislation and best practice, companies with a strong track record in managing environments supporting protected species would be well-suited to compete. The open procurement method allows for broad participation, offering various suppliers the opportunity to contribute to the enhancement of biodiversity within this important natural site. The contract value is estimated at £100,000, providing a substantial incentive for qualified businesses to pursue this endeavour. ## Notice Castle Ward Estate contains a rare and ecologically important area of semi-natural broadleaf woodland within the Strangford Lough AONB. The woodland supports priority habitats and protected species, including red squirrels, pine martens and badgers, making sensitive management and habitat protection essential throughout the restoration programme. The primary threat to the woodland is the spread of invasive non-native species, particularly cherry laurel and Rhododendron ponticum, which suppress native regeneration and reduce biodiversity. This project aims to restore woodland health through invasive species control, sycamore thinning and enrichment planting of native species, especially hazel, while ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and best practice. The successful contractor will act as Forest Works Manager and deliver all restoration works between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027. This will include invasive species removal, sycamore removal, native planting and site clearance, with all cutting, felling and arisings completed by the end of February 2027. Follow-up invasive species treatments will be required during 2027 and 2028 to ensure long-term restoration success. Closing date for RFP - 10th August 2026 Deadline fro Queries - 1st August 2026 Award Contract - 19th August 2026 This opportunity is being conducted on the Proactis Plaza portal. https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/ Click on the "Opportunities" button and filter on Customer name - The National Trust All communication is to be carried out via the Proactis portal. Participating Suppliers will bear their own costs, and seek appropriate advice, for the preparation of their response. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/96787adb-fc8d-46cc-a098-8dbc996d49a2 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Works | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 10 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 1 Aug 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £100,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY | | Locality | SWINDON | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN2 2NA | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Mannington and Western | | Westminster constituency | Swindon South | | Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services ### Codes - 77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services ## Release History - 15 Jul 2026 at 14:44 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/96787adb-fc8d-46cc-a098-8dbc996d49a2 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/96787adb-fc8d-46cc-a098-8dbc996d49a2 15th July 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-56e0b8d9-4ad1-461e-b084-de553056bbac.json.