A new woodland for all could be planted in Stroud
Published: Tuesday, 24 September, 2019
More new trees are going in the ground as Stroud District Council prepares to create woodland to help mitigate climate change.
Early next month councillors are expected to consider proposals to turn five acres of grassland into a woodland for all to use on the edge of Stroud town.
It follows the planting of 100 trees last year in Stratford Park, and on Friday to mark the Global Climate Strike, councillors planted a cherry tree and a pair of oaks on council land.
"Climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world, and while we’re a relatively small part of it, we are determined to do whatever we can to tackle it,” said council leader Doina Cornell. “Planting trees is one really positive thing the council can do to take excess CO2 out of the atmosphere, as well as all the other benefits in protecting biodiversity and combating air pollution. As a council we can’t do it alone and it is great also to see other organisations and communities starting active tree planting schemes across the district."
On October 3, Strategy and Resources Committee members will consider a proposal to plant a woodland on five acres of the former Stratford Park estate on the eastern side of the A46, south of the Salmon Springs trading estate. Kept as grass, it earns the council just £300 a year.
If they approve the report, planting could start next year depending on funding. And the council will also start looking for other land to buy for woodland, and work with partners to start a carbon offset fund to pay for that.
“It’s clear that the effects of climate change will be disastrous,” added Green councillor Catherine Braun, who was also at the planting on Friday. “As a council we are limited in what we can do to tackle it but we have declared a climate emergency and we are acting on it in every way we can, and I would urge our partners to join us.”
Conservative leader Cllr Stephen Davies added:
"It is great to see tangible action to address the Climate Emergency and sending a clear message that everyone can make a difference."
The cherry tree was planted outside the council’s Ebley Mill headquarters by Councillors Cornell, Braun, Mattie Ross and Miranda Clifton, and later the council planted two oaks donated by a member of the public, at Stratford Park.
To find out more about the tree planting proposal, visit https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/meetings/strategy-and-resources-committee.