Issue - items at meetings - Micro wood sites

This report seeks approval for micro-wood creation at two recommended planting sites following a successful funding application to the Government’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF) and subsequent detailed site identification and appraisal.

Resolved:

i. Approved the two preferred locations for micro-wood creation within the 2024/25 tree planting season:

a) Land to the South-West of Village Street, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without Ward (see attached map at Annex A). With delegated authority granted to the Director of City Development to approve the planting block within this location following targeted resident consultation.

Reason: This site is in an area deemed to be a high priority

for new tree planting according to the Woodland Trust’s Tree Equity Score UK2 (TESUK). It is publicly accessible and relatively free of constraints. Three feasible locations (labelled A, B and C on the map) have been identified. Block A provides an extension to an existing woodland strip and visually frames the nearby beacon and pavilion building. All blocks are easily visible aiding self-policing. Final block selection will be informed by targeted resident/stakeholder consultation.

b) Land to the north of The Fox Inn, Holgate Ward (see attached map at Annex B).

Reason: This site is in an area deemed to be a high priority

for new tree planting according to the TESUK, is publicly accessible and free of physical constraints. The site is a former industrial brownfield site. It is highly visible from Holgate Road and the adjacent cycle and pedestrian pathways.

ii. Approved the following site as a reserve option should either of the preferred sites above prove undeliverable:

a) Land to the south of Burnholme Sports Centre, Heworth Ward (see attached map at Annex C).

Reason: This site is in an area deemed to be a high priority

for new tree planting according to TESUK. It is publicly accessible and free of constraints.

The Executive Member considered the report which was seeking approval on the locations for two Mirco Woods, following the Council’s successful bid for funding from the Government’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund. It was confirmed that the sites were around 200 square meters and would be planted using the Miyawaki method. These Micro woods it was confirmed would be part of the Council’s aim to increase tree canopy cover to 13% by 2050.

It was noted that from the sites identified there were three separate options in Rawcliffe and the report sought permission to defer the final Rawcliffe location to the Director for City Development following local consultation. Should a site become unsuitable it was also identified that land to the south of Burnholme Sports Centre was a reserve site.