The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “L”) describes work being undertaken to increase the number of trees and areas of woodland cover on land within the Keighley Constituency.

Recommended –

1.    That the important role that tree planting and peatland restoration can have in the area in contributing to climate change adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development be recognised and accepted. 

2.    That the further development and assessment of a long list of Council sites within Keighley Area suitable tree planting, including street trees, attached at Appendix 1 to Document L,  be welcomed.

3.    That the tree planting proposals on the 2019/20 short list contained at Appendix 2 to Document “L”, and subject to additional site checks and further consultation and comments from other stakeholders, be welcomed in principle. 

(Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Bob Thorpe – 01274 434826)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “L”) described work being undertaken to increase the number of trees and areas of woodland cover on land within the Keighley Constituency.

The report emphasised the benefits of increased tree and woodland cover in the district and local and national initiatives which had created more impetus to accelerate tree planting in response to climate breakdown and biodiversity loss.  The Northern Forest (2018) and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (2019) were reported.  

Trees & Woodlands with Parks & Cleansing, Countryside & Rights of Way and Landscape Design & Conservation were pursuing a number of avenues to increase tree cover over the next five years including:- 

A)        Compiling a list of Council public green spaces, agricultural land and other land where it may be possible to plant trees in each District Area.

B)        Identifying locations for planting or replanting street trees.

C)        Applying for financial support from Northern Forest and UTCF.

D)        Working with third party funders such as Trees for Cities and Woodland Trust to increase cover.

E)        Working with other stakeholders such as civil parishes and BEAT-Forest of Bradford to co-ordinate tree planting activity on Council land.

Members were advised that a ‘long list’ of 37 sites covering an additional gross area of 876ha had been identified, including some areas of Ilkley Moor (approximately 738ha) and Penistone Country Park (approximately 71ha).  That list was appended to Document L as appendix 1. 

Evaluation to-date suggested that only a small percentage of the available land area would prove suitable for tree planting or woodland creation (afforestation), for example, some cloughs and ghylls around Ilkley Moor may be suitable, especially where part of natural flood management but not the extensive  areas of protected peatland.     

For 2019/20 planting season a ‘short list’ comprising land at Marley, Highfield, Whinswood, Park Wood, Addingham. and Silsden Park totalling ~2 hectares had been identified for a mixture of standard trees, orchard trees and transplants.  That list was appended to Document L as appendix 2.   Although those schemes were still subject to stakeholder consultation and final design decisions indications were that they were likely to be funded and carried out.

The likelihood of completion of schemes identified at Appendix 1 was queried and it was believed that proposals for Penistone Hill were feasible together with pockets of Riddlesden Golf Club. Planting schemes being undertaken by the local Scout group were reported together with the potential to naturally regenerate some areas.   The planting opportunities were, in reality and subject to funding, likely to be conducted over a five year period. 

The maintenance required for fruit trees was questioned and it was explained that when planted in other areas that had been done by community interest groups.  The Keighley Urban Orchard project had gathered momentum and proposals to develop volunteer skills to enable them to maintain fruit trees were reported.

The length of time to complete the schemes detailed at Appendix 2 was questioned and Members were advised that the time scale would depend on the available funding.

In response to questions about links to the urban meadows projects it was confirmed that the tree and woodland planting opportunities were a different project to the urban meadows initiative which had taken place at Cliffe Castle.

Members were advised that there would be a tree planting ceremony taking place in the Keighley constituency to which they would be invited.

Resolved –

1.    That the important role that tree planting and peatland restoration can have in the area in contributing to climate change adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development be recognised and accepted. 

2.    That the further development and assessment of a long list of Council sites within Keighley Area suitable tree planting, including street trees, attached at Appendix 1 to Document L,  be welcomed.

3.    That the tree planting proposals on the 2019/20 short list contained at Appendix 2 to Document “L”, and subject to additional site checks and further consultation and comments from other stakeholders, be welcomed in principle. 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Regeneration & Environment

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place