Content

Exemption from publication: There are
confidential appendices to this report, which are exempt by virtue
of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the
Local Government Act 1972 because they contain information relating
to the financial or business affairs of any particular person
(including the authority holding that information).

To document the granting of a licence of part of the site at
Cannock Road, Aylesbury, HP20 2AP for planting of a small urban
tree parcel (250 sq m) this planting season (23/24). This project
was postponed from two years ago.

Reasons for the decision

Tree planting is one of the key projects to
support the Council’s wider ambitions with respect to
addressing climate change and reducing emissions to net zero by
2050. It also ties in with ambitions and strategic aim of enhancing
the environment.

The proposed site, identified as red lozenge of approx. 250 sq m on
the attached plan, is subject to final survey and completion of a
licence agreement between the Council and Conservation Education
and Research Trust (which uses the working name Earthwatch
Institute).

Earthwatch is an environmental charity that runs the urban woodland
and community engagement programme known as 'Tiny Forest'. Tiny
Forests are approximately the size of a tennis court and most often
planted in an urban environment.

Several further sites have been identified for Tiny Forests in the
2024/2025 planting season.
This site is currently managed by Parks & Green Spaces. It is
agreed the planting of the Tiny Forest will enhance the amenity and
ecological biodiversity of the site.

The site has been reviewed by Investment & Development to
ensure the Tiny Forest will not impact on potential higher value
uses.

Operation of the Site:
Earthwatch will establish the Project for the Council by planting a
Tiny Forest at the Site, running a programme of community events,
and providing initial equipment for that programme.

The Council will permit Earthwatch access to the Site for ongoing
monitoring of the urban woodland, running community engagement and
citizen science activities for volunteers for the duration of the
licence.

Responsibility for management of the trees will pass to the Climate
Change Team when the 2-year agreement with Earthwatch ends. The
Climate Change Fund will cover the maintenance costs for the Tiny
Forest for the first 10 years. On this basis the Parks and Green
Spaces Service has approved the proposal.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option would be to leave the
area as open space. Given the very small area required for the Tiny
Forest there is no detriment to the open nature of the area.
Further the Tiny Forest will have minimal impact on any proposed
future development of the area. The proposal supports the
Council’s tree planting program target and the
Government’s national ambition to increase the planting of
trees across the UK.