Reclaiming Green Space on Church End/Rosemary Lane Through Tree Planting

Proposal

To plant new trees and bushes along the verges on Church End and Rosemary Lane, Cherry Hinton. This residential road has recently been damaged by regular car parking in connection with the businesses on the road. The once green and vibrant verges are repeatedly parked upon and are now looking sorrowful – full of ruts and bare, compacted soil. The aspiration is to replace lost green areas and plant trees/bushes to re-green and reclaim the road from further damage and to improve the quality of the area for the wellbeing of people, wildlife, the environment and the street scene.

Background

This area has been converted from a quiet residential street into a parking overspill which is having a detrimental effect on the look and feel of the area as well as a significant impact on the wellbeing of local residents. The use of the green spaces (verges) which have long been a feature of this road are being impacted by parking of cars, vans and other commercial vehicles upon them. Tree planting would deter the use of the verges as car parking spots whilst also adding to the City’s canopy cover aspirations and the environmental wellbeing of the area.

Benefits

This proposal would start the recovery of this area for people and biodiversity by restoring green spaces to this residential road. Establishing trees will also set a positive precedent and prevent the use of valuable green space for the parking of motor vehicles.

If funding is granted, the city & county councillors for Cherry Hinton will engage and consult with local residents in conjunction with Council tree officers to come to a decision on the specific trees and bushes to install, and where they should be installed. We believe that thorough consultation with residents is key to making the most of the funding.

Trees are not only integral in providing cleaner air by filtering, and capturing storm water and lowering city temperatures, they also create an important habitat for birds and insects. Streets, parks, and housing estates filled with trees also have significant psychological benefits for residents and visitors, reducing stress and providing spaces for relaxation and contact with nature.

The City Council is committed to increasing the tree canopy cover of Cambridge from 17% to 19% with increased tree planting forming a substantial part of that increment.

Further, Cambridge City Council has a commitment to reduce the city’s carbon emissions to lessen the impacts of climate change on residents, businesses and visitors. The Council, through its Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026 and Tree Strategy 2016-2026, has expectations for Cambridge to achieve zero carbon status by 2030 and the overall tree canopy cover is a crucial component of these strategies. Therefore, the project would be fully aligned with the Council’s objectives.

Expectations

The City Council Tree Team could, if funding is granted, establish the best placement for trees using the green verge spaces along Church End/Rosemary Lane to ensure the best placement for trees/bushes to allow the area to flourish.

Residents would be willing and able to assist with minor maintenance (watering during warmer months for example), therefore ongoing maintenance costs for the project would be minimal.