Agenda item

To consider joint initiatives with the Woodland Trust for future working to protect, preserve and replace protected trees, hedges and woodland.

Presentations from the Woodland Trust and Hugh Dorrington (Aveland Trees Ltd).

Aveland Trees Ltd

The Chairman introduced Hugh Dorrington, Aveland Trees to the Committee.  Mr Dorrington spoke about the work of Aveland trees, as a plant nursery for woodland planting and the creation of hedgerows.  The Committee heard of the opportunity for woodlands that could be established on smaller agricultural fields that were currently funded by a Central Government Grant but are not suited for modern farming machinery. The Grant was set to end in 5 years, it would be able to provide the opportunity for areas like Ropsley, to create woodlands to separate residents and farmers, providing a benefit to both.

The committee received a presentation on a Woodland in Dunsby. The presentation noted that the layout of woodland could be designed to allow for easy maintenance, whilst at ground level appearing to have natural spacing between trees.  Members were invited to examine the work of Aveland Nursery. 

Members questioned the scale and density of tree planting that could take place.  They were advised that 1600 trees per hectare with 2 ½ metre spacing between trees, was the most. Members discussed the need for tree planting meeting local conditions, that a mix of woodlands and smaller scale tree planting would be best suited to the area.  

Woodland Trust

The Chairman invited the Regional Officer from the Woodland Trust to provide a Presentation to the Committee. The Officer spoke of the history of the Woodland Trust with the headquarters being based within Grantham.  The Woodland Trust had worked extensively in partnership with both the public and private sector. The committee examined the Woodland Trust’s work with Sheffield Council, after the removal of 5000 healthy mature trees, they helped with the creation of a Street Tree Strategy and a Wide Woodlands Strategy.  

The officer spoke of the Climate Emergency, Biodiversity Emergency and the Covid-19 pandemic and the ways that tree planting could help by capturing carbon, providing a habitat and a place for the local community to enjoy.  The Woodland Trust had created an Emergency Tree Fund which provided funding for organisations like local authorities.

A Member queried what work had taken place in protecting ancient woodland and trees, where planning applications would potentially endanger them. The Officer advised that this could be challenge.  The Woodland Trust were not statutory consultees for Planning Application and they relied on the work of Councillors and members of the public in bringing these applications to their attention.

The Committee spoke of the Design Code adopted by the Council and expressed an interest in the Woodland Trust informing them how other councils were planning on managing their maintenance costs in managing an increasing number of trees.  A member expressed their interest in considering if this should form Part of the Council’s Planning Policy and mandate a set percentage of tree coverage in large developments.

The committee discussed the Councils Policy around Tree Protection Orders and questioned if it should be altered from one sapling being planted, to a larger number of saplings, after the loss of a mature tree. The Cabinet Member for Commercial and Operations confirmed that this could be underpinned by Council Policy.

Members discussed their ambitions for tree planting and for memorial tree planting.  It was noted that Council Budgets and land availability were limited, which would impact on the Council’s opportunities for tree planting. The Committee agreed that Parish or Town Councils should be encouraged to plant trees. such organisations may have greater agility to act in this area.

The Committee were advised that a Parliamentary Committee had published on a report on Climate Change, the UK would need to plant 80 million trees per annum, until 2040, to combat the Climate Crisis.

Possible recommendations were discussed by Members; that would ensure effective and appropriate steps would be made to develop policy and ensure tree planting. Members debated if it was suitable to ask Cabinet to consider the creation of a Budget for tree planting, or if the Committee could request for suitable sites to be located in the same way they had requested land for rewilding.

ACTIONS:

1.          That Officers examine practical/tangible proposals to increase speed and scale of tree planting with partners including Lincolnshire County Council, The National Farmers Union and Parish Councils

2.          Officers seek to identify four sites and make proposals for additional trees to be planted (with costs).

3.          To continue a positive working relationship with the Woodland Trust.