County council to plant a million trees by 2025

By Cllr Greg Peck

As part of its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, 10 years ahead of the government’s own target, Norfolk County Council is to plant a million trees over the next five years.

Any trees cut down for infrastructure and housing developments would be replaced without counting towards the one-million commitment.

County Farms, which are within my Cabinet portfolio, are already making a start. We have already started a planting scheme on three of our properties, which will involve planting more than 150 trees and 18,000 hedging plants.

In addition, on one of our Care Farms a further 150 trees will be planted by volunteers, including Care Farm clients, staff from County Hall and councillors, all by the end of March.

This is small, first step. There is a tree planting season so we hope to begin planting many more trees in the autumn. In collaboration with our county farm tenants, we have identified many potential woodland sites on our estate, which includes a potential 50-acre site in the west of the county, where we will plant around 40,000 trees.

We have also identified opportunities to create new hedgerows and restore existing ones.

Cllr Greg Peck, Norfolk County Council, Reepham Division
Tel: 07972 230282
Email: greg.peck.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk