Major tree-planting scheme planned across Bridgend county borough

Thousands of trees will be planted this autumn in five different parts of Bridgend County Borough on land owned by the local authority.

The trees are being planted as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a tree for the Jubilee’. It is also a key part of the council’s response to tackling the challenges of climate change and the nature crisis, and aims to help the local authority achieve a position of net zero carbon by 2030.

The five areas involved are Min y Nant in Pencoed, Coytrahen, Maes y Felin in Wildmill, Foxfields in Brackla and land close to Litchard Primary School.

As part of the initiative, a special ‘Green Day’ event is being organised alongside partner organisations where schools and the local community will be invited to join in, help plant the trees and learn more about the impact this will have on carbon capture, flood prevention, the reduction of pollution and wider well-being aspects associated with nature and biodiversity.

The trees planted will all be native plant populations that naturally occur in the area and will be planted between October and March.

The local authority will be working closely with local communities for their views on the project’s plans and the areas to be planted.

The Mayor, Cllr John Spanswick said: “We are thrilled to be announcing this new project which is helping to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and is also linked to the delivery of our climate emergency response programme.

“A range of events will be held within each community with walks around the sites planned and talks with local residents.”

Local residents are encouraged to become involved in the scheme and share their views by contacting Sasha Ufnowska from the community woodland group Llais y Goedwig which is overseeing the scheme on sasha.ufnowska@llaisygoedwig.org.uk.