Council plans to increase Vale’s tree canopy by 5% over 15-years

A new Tree Strategy will be subject to a public consultation

Glamorgan Star news 02/12/2023

1 minute read

Canopy of trees from Adobe images. Inset: Vale Council offices in Barry by Sharon Harris. — Plans could see 5% increase in trees. Photos: Adobe / Sharon Harris.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council plans to increase the number of trees across the county as part of Project Zero – the council’s response to the climate change emergency.

A new Tree Strategy was considered by the Authority’s Cabinet this week and will now be subject to public consultation and includes a drive to improve canopy cover on Council land – the area shaded by branches – by five percent over a 15-year period.

This is part of Project Zero, the Council’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2030, and will involve partnership working with local landowners and conservation groups.

Cllr Mark Wilson, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Building Services, said: “The Council has declared both climate and nature emergencies in recent years and is committed to addressing these significant challenges.

“To that end, we launched Project Zero in 2021 to drastically curb Co2 emissions before the end of the decade.

“Tree planting and rewilding are important elements of that initiative. We have already started creating meadow areas to increase biodiversity in the Vale, now this strategy sets out our plans regarding tree cover.

“The Local Nature Partnership and other groups will play an important role in this strategy’s success, while we will also rely on support from private landowners.

“A public consultation will soon begin regarding these proposals and I would encourage all interested parties to share their views.”

Details of how to take part in that engagement exercise will follow in due course.

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