Dozens of Trees to Be Planted with £20k Grant in Blackburn Locations

Blackburn: The council has scored a £20,093 grant to plant a bunch of trees in some of the city’s more deprived areas. They’re focusing on three spots in the Audley and Queens Park ward.

This funding comes from the Trees for Cities scheme, which is all about boosting tree cover where it’s needed most. According to Martin Kelly, the strategic director of growth, this money will help the council meet its goals for increasing greenery in urban areas.

Tree planting is also a big part of their Climate Emergency Action Plan, aimed at capturing carbon and pushing towards a carbon-neutral future. Trees for Cities is a charity that raises funds for such projects, and they reached out to the council with this opportunity.

They identified areas that fit the criteria for new trees, focusing on places with low tree cover. The plan includes planting 10 heavy standards in Queens Park, 20 heavy standards and 100 younger trees at Audley Children’s Centre, and nine heavy standards at Audley Community Centre.

The proposal was a hit, with funding covering tree purchases, planting, and half of the maintenance costs for three years. The green spaces team will handle the upkeep, aiming for at least an 85% survival rate for the new trees.

Planting is set for the 2024/25 season, with local community support. There are some risks, like costs going up or community interest being low, but the funding should cover everything without needing extra from the council.

If vandalism happens and survival rates drop below 85%, the council will have to replace the trees, which could be a future cost. But overall, the benefits of this funding outweigh the risks.