Have your say on new woods plan for village
SCHEME TO PLANT 14,000 TREES
COULD BEGIN AT END OF YEAR
RESIDENTS still have time to help shape a plan to plant 15 acres of community woodland near their village.
Hathern Parish Council, in collaboration with Charnwood Borough Council, has launched a consultation after a £43,000 bid was submitted to the borough council’s Forestry Commission last year.
The funds will come from the commission’s Woodland Creation Grant.
There will be opportunities for community groups and schools to get involved with the maintenance of the land and to use it for activities.
The plans would see 14,000 trees planted on the council-owned land off Golden Square in Hathern, a village just north of Loughborough.
This comes as part of the borough council’s intention to plant 100,000 trees throughout Charnwood by 2024.
As the woodland is expected to capture up to 1,323 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 30 years, the project will also contribute to the council’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The project could get under way as early as next planting season – between November and March. Councillor Roy Rollings, who is heading the council’s campaign to become carbon neutral, said: “Woodland areas have a positive impact on our lives including helping to improve the quality of the air.
“As a council, we have pledged to ensure 100,000 trees are planted in the borough by 2024 and this is another step towards achieving that target.
“If you live in or around Hathern, please take a look at what is being planned and provide your feedback which could help to shape the project.”
Councillor Roy Dann, chairman of Hathern Parish Council, also voiced his support.
He said: “We are extremely pleased to partner the council on this project and would encourage residents to have a say on these proposals.
“The community woodland will bring a wide range of benefits to our community and we will continue to work closely with the council to make it happen.”
The community questionnaire will be available online until next Thursday, August 26.
It can be found at:
Woodland areas have a positive impact on our lives including helping to improve the quality of the air
Roy Rollings