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Devon Web Directory
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More Trees Set For Exeter |
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Monday, 03 March 2008 |
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Exeter City Council Media Release 26 February 2008 People would like more trees and woodland in Exeter, and that's official!
The findings follow a major consultation exercise carried out by the City Council.
Members of the Council's Scrutiny Community Committee will consider a Tree and Woodland Strategy for Exeter at a meeting next week (4 March). If the strategy goes forward there is likely to be even more planting of trees in the city.
Councillor Connel Boyle, Lead Councillor for Environment and Leisure, said: "Trees are one of the most important and impressive features of the English landscape, and here in Exeter we enjoy a wide range of species.
"Views into and out of the city are dominated by a rich treescape, and it makes Exeter a green and pleasant environment in which to live and work."
Among the many benefits of trees are their ability to alleviate noise from traffic, screen tall buildings and large industrial areas, provide shade and of course habitats for a vast number of bird, insect and animal species.
The draft strategy has been developed following a major consultation exercise within the city using the Council's Wavelength panel supported by questionnaires circulated to the public and major stakeholders such as Devon County Council and the University.
The results of the consultation show that the treescape of the city is much appreciated and the benefits trees can bring are recognised. In particular, the people of Exeter would:
· like to see more trees and woodland in Exeter
· particularly like to see more trees on streets, in industrial areas, and on public open space
· like the Council to play an active role in encouraging others to plant and carefully-manage their trees
· support the Council acquiring land in order to plant woodland
· like the Council to invest resources to ensure successful tree establishment on difficult sites
· like to the Council to invest in sustainably re-using timber and other arisings from tree maintenance.
Following approval of the draft, further targeted consultation will take place particularly with major stakeholders before adoption of the strategy later in the year.
Councillor Boyle added: "The adoption of a tree and woodland strategy is a major step forward for the city in its management of trees. Considerable work has already taken place with the planting of more trees in the city, the development of community orchards and the active management of existing trees. The city of Exeter is one of the greenest cities in the country and the business community is as committed to the vision of creating an environmentally friendly city as the City Council. The strategy will provide the framework for managing Exeter's treescape into the future."
For more information see the City Council website |
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