A NEW woodland could be created in St Saviour after plans were submitted to change the use of two fields that have not been used for agricultural purposes in over a decade.
If approved, almost 800 trees would be planted in fields S541 and S559, on the corner of Rue du Tapon and Prince’s Tower Road, as well as more than 600 hawthorn, sloe and hazel to make hedges.
The programme of works would start in September and the trees would be planted in groups of three, five or seven in all areas of the field.
In a design statement submitted to the government’s planning website by Godel Architects, on behalf of the applicant Simon Bliss, they said: ‘The fields are located east of Five Oaks, a very large area of housing and industrial units. There are very few areas in this location where wildlife can benefit from the nature that these fields have to offer. Tree planting will give a greater protection for nesting birds and because the water area leading to the lavoir exists, it attracts a greater variety of species of wildlife.’
The granite lavoir, which was historically used for washing clothes, is in Rue du Pré. The wet area that feeds the lavoir will remain untouched but alder and birch will be planted on either side. They added: ‘Looking at the future use this may have to the community will be the ongoing maintenance of this project and as trees establish and the canopy covers over, the area will soon change to become a different environment for nesting birds and feeding squirrels, just to name a few.
‘The hope is that it will also become a nature trail for the schools and other community groups to learn about wildlife and environmental matters.’
The applicant is also planning to invite a number of different groups from St Saviour to help plant the trees during the final two weekends of November.
