Summary of Environmental Action Plan 2019-2023
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s the Parish Council planted numerous trees partly in response to the area being savaged by Dutch Elm disease. These trees have now matured and provide biodiverse areas for the public to enjoy.
Feedback, from community events held in 2016 and 2017, highlighted the need to protect and if possible, increase our green areas. In addition, during the same period, the development of the Play Area was identified as a priority. Subsequently the Parish Council constructed a rolling action plan that has been implemented from 2018 -2023.
The key outcomes of this plan are:
Community replanting the hedge on the Playing Field, Station Road.
Community planting an orchard on the Playing Field. (Producing an information sheet on types of trees/bushes).
Installing rustic benches on the Playing Field and Jubilee Park. Installing planters at the entrance to the village.
Three new bins installed in the Parish.
Primary school children planting whips on the Play Area
Working with the school children renaming the Play Area the Jubilee Park. Planting four mature trees and successfully installing £14000 of equipment on this area. (£10,000 lottery grant).
Organising an opening event for Jubilee Park
Establishing small football pitches on Jubilee Park and the Playing Field
Installing two speed indicator devices.
With LCC planting mature trees on Station Road and Moor Lane.
Planting two mature trees in Holt Farm Paddock
Working with the developer of the Moor Lane site to protect and increase our green and social areas. (Implementing the key outcomes in the 2017 outline planning agreement).
With the school children converting part of the churchyard into a meadow.
Seeding verges and other areas with wildflowers.
Working with NKDC to increase the number of TPOs within the parish.
Heat exchange pumps are now used to heat the village hall and all consumables are reviewed regularly to ensure they are environmentally friendly.
In 2018 the Parish Council together with members of the community planted approximately 100 whips to rejuvenate a hedge. In 2019, the Council worked with all children from the primary school in planting 100 whips (supplied by the Woodland Trust) to create a new biodiversity area. In 2019, working with a local nursery, 15 larger trees were planted on Parish Land. The trees owned by the Parish are surveyed every four years by the Tree Officers from NKDC and appropriate actions taken.