Chichester District tree scheme

Between January 2021 and March 2023, the council had been running an initiative to help increase the number of trees planted in Chichester District. This is part of the council's ambition to tackle climate change and support the district's wildlife.

The Tree Chichester District scheme utilised funding from HM Treasury's Shared Outcomes Fund. Since the scheme was launched in January 2021, nearly 25,000 trees have been planted across the district. These have been planted through 175 individual projects.

We have supported the following to plant trees across the district:

• residents;
• community groups;
• parish councils;
• schools;
• businesses;
• farmers; and, landowners

This scheme has now been extended. This is thanks to a share of £2m of Government funding to investigate ways to increase tree cover in communities across the country.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has awarded £2 million to continue the Trees Outside Woodland programme of research. This is with the aim of testing new ways to boost tree numbers outside of woodland areas and to strengthen biosecurity.

This second phase of the programme is delivered in partnership with:

• The Tree Council;
• Natural England; and,
• five local authorities including Chichester District Council

It aims to ensure that new and healthy trees continue to be planted in local communities. This improves people's health and wellbeing and helps to mitigate the effects of climate change.

We will receive the new funding in September 2023. We are currently planning the schemes and projects. These schemes and projects will enable us to deliver for the benefit of our local communities.

If you would like more information about the Tree Chichester District scheme, please email our Tree Project Officer at treescheme@chichester.gov.uk.
 

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