Objectives – How are we going to do it?
• To assess the current tree canopy cover of the Borough taking account of tree size, age, species diversity, sustainability and resilience using a Tree mapping tool.
• To increase the percentage of tree canopy cover across the Borough relative to planting space to 15% by 2050.
• Work with landowners and partners in Chorley to identify and facilitate new locations for tree planting projects.
• To ensure the Borough’s tree population is healthy, varied in age and diverse in species.
• Work with landowners and partners in Chorley to identity and facilitate locations of existing woodland, hedgerow and shelterbelt that can be enhanced and protected, particularly focusing on ancient woodland.
• Carry out tree planting with landowners, volunteers, schools, organizations, community groups etc.
• Set up a method of recording numbers of trees planted into a central database which will also monitor maintenance and success rates.
• To promote the value of trees and actively involve the community in the management, protection and enhancement of the Borough’s tree population.
• Achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation for all authority woods and trees and encourage this amongst other landowners.
• Allocate Council funding and apply for external funding to create new woodlands and associated infrastructure to allow public access.
• Ensure that Chorley Council have enough qualified staff, contract or partner resources to implement our targets.
• Commit to planting with UK sourced and grown trees. Look to allocate land in Chorley as a community tree nursery and/or advocate schools to create tree nurseries in their grounds.
• Manage the risks to people, property and infrastructure from trees ensuring that they are low as reasonably practicable, taking account best practice and legal obligations.
• To sustainability manage, protect and enhance the Borough’s tree population to maximize ecological, social and economic benefits.
• To commit to procuring UK sourced timber from FSC (sustainable) sources and encourage use of hardwood timber sourced from existing and new woodland in the area.
• To implement planning policies to secure delivery of 30% tree canopy cover and retention of existing trees on all new developments where possible.
• To TPO all our veteran and ancient trees in the Borough and ensure that any TPO trees are replaced if felling is required.
• Chorley Council is committed to supporting the community to have healthy lifestyles by improving and creating open space when new woodlands are created with access for recreation, exercise, community engagement and wellbeing.