Hartlepool Borough Council aims to tackle town's tree shortage
A strategy has been drawn up to increase the number of trees in Hartlepool after it was revealed the borough has "one of the lowest" coverages in the country.
Hartlepool Borough Council has pulled together an “urban forest master plan” to address challenges the area has with increasing the number of trees.
A tree equity for Hartlepool project, led by Trees for Cities, has already been launched as a multi-year initiative to close the “nature gap”.
The project aims to plant at least 10 hectares of trees in nature-deprived areas and engage 1,500 residents through community planting and environmental activities.
Yet council chiefs have highlighted how they need a strategic plan, which the urban forest policy seeks to provide through external grants.
Kieran Bostock, director of neighbourhoods and regulatory services, said: “Hartlepool faces a significant long-standing challenge with urban greening, and currently has one of the lowest tree canopy coverages in England and the second-lowest tree equity score nationally.
“This means many communities do not have equal access to the benefits of trees such as cleaner air, cooler streets and improved wellbeing.
“Overall this is about moving from being one of the least tree covered boroughs in the country to becoming a national example of what urban greenery can achieve.”
The council’s neighbourhoods and regulatory services committee approved a public consultation on the master plan ahead of its planned adoption later this year.
The document aims to set out a clear vision and priorities for the planting, maintenance and management of Hartlepool’s trees in the future.
Councillor Rachel Creevy added: “It’s a really positive thing to see and I’m really, really keen on this.”