Purpose

The Council has duties,
commitments and targets regarding tree planting and nature recovery
under the following:
·        
Environment Act 2021,
·        
The Natural Environment and Rural Communities
Act,
·        
Kirklees Cleaner Greener Corporate Goals
·        
Kirklees Climate emergency Action Plan
·        
Kirklees’ commitment to the White Rose
Forest
·        
The recently adopted Kirklees Environment
Strategy
 
Woodland creation schemes
are an important vehicle to move towards meeting these targets,
with the proposal on land to the rear of Castle Hill being a key
area for delivery of this.  
 
A proposal to deliver
woodland creation on council owned farmland located to the rear of
Castle Hill has been developed to help meet planting
targets.
 
The initial project proposed
to plant 28 Ha of new native woodland, by way of extensions to the
existing Mellor and Molly Carr woods, on Council owned land grazing
land.
 
Engagement for the proposal
commenced on 10th July 2024 and closed on
16th August 2024. Seeking comments from Ward Cllrs and
members of the public.
 
The engagement results found
that out of the 120 responders:
 
·        
63% said yes
to the project
·        
21% said no
to the project
·        
17% said may
be with some changes
 
Taking into consideration
the concerns raised alongside other factors identified during the
project development process. On balance the proposal was reviewed
and amendments made to the original scheme.  By removing planting proposals from two areas, as
identified on the revised planting plan, a copy is included as a
supporting paper.
 
At the Place Senior
Leadership Team meeting held on 2nd October 2024, the
decision was made to progress with this amended woodland planting
scheme.
 

Content

To progress with the amended
woodland planting scheme on council land located to the rear of
Castle Hill. Revised to remove tree planting from area 1 and area
2, as shown on the attached revised planting plan.