Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are to become greener.

BCP Council is to plant over 10,000 trees across the conurbation this year with the latest bid for 1,600 new trees to be planted in the first few months of 2021 approved at Cabinet at the end of last year.

Last November the Council received funding through the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund to plant 4,790 trees in urban areas. These native trees will provide benefits such as natural traffic noise and pollution buffers alongside wildlife refuges. Planting is taking place throughout the winter on sites including Stourvale Estate, Littledown Valley, Waterman’s Park, Hatchard’s Field, Sterte Esplanade and Bearwood Open Spaces.

This latest bid will see the creation of a hectare of woodland at Iford Meadows as part of the council’s commitment to its Cleaner, Greener, Safer campaign.

An additional 4,000 trees are being planted in North Bournemouth including the reinstatement planting of lost hedgerows at Hicks Farm.

Cllr Mark Anderson, cabinet portfolio holder for environment, cleansing and waste commented, “Trees are vital to our ecosystem. They help to combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the air.

“Trees can also have a positive impact on our wellbeing, helping us to feel a sense of calm in our lives and keeping us connected to nature, which has never been more important after the year we’ve all had.”