Work on increasing woodland in South Holland is continuing, a council says after passing a plan to build to plant more trees and hedgerows.
In November 2019 the district council’s previous leader Lord Gary Porter announced an initiative that intended to put a wooded area ‘near every settlement’ in the district.
He said it was partly to give usage of land to the community which South Holland District Council owned, ahead of local government organisation that could see the authority cease to exist.
Seven years later it and other authorities are currently awaiting to hear which bid to run new unitary authorities has been successful.
Recently South Holland District Council passed a ‘Trees and Hedgerows’ policy meant for the South and East Lincolnshire Partnership it is a part of.
But far from the proposed woods near every settlement, it stated ‘less than one hectare’ for tree plantation in South Holland.
Coun Henry Bingham, its portfolio holder for assets and strategic planning, though said district council was still working on numerous proposals for the land and woodland.
He highlighted the reopening of Moulton Park as one such area that was previously owned by South Holland District Council which is now owned by a group that could open it up more to the community as well as provide more tree planting if that was what those looking after the land wanted.
“We’re looking to support different groups with the land and pushing forward with tree planting so the land is for the community and protected,” Coun Bingham said. “We’re currently working with a mixture of groups with ideas for land including more woodland.
“We’re trying to find the best use for the land.
“Officers are very keen to do it so we’re looking at options that benefit everybody.”
A spokesman for South Holland District Council said: “South Holland District Council is working with third parties to deliver wooded areas and nature-focused spaces across the district using both council-owned land and other sites made available through partnerships where appropriate.
“Moulton Park has been sold to the John and Maureen Biggadike Trust and is being developed as a wooded area with tree planting underway.
“The council is also identifying additional sites for similar projects to enhance biodiversity and provide green spaces for community benefit.”
