Opportunities and future protection
We need to seek opportunities to increase tree coverage across the borough. For council-owned land, we will retain the planting budget and seek additional funding opportunities. For land outside our control, we will work with partners, landowners, community groups and through the planning decisions taken, we will support native tree planting schemes in suitable locations.
The Woodland Trust estimate that the UK’s woodland cover needs to be increased from 13 per cent to at least 19 per cent. However, planting the right native species of trees in the right place is vital.
Any commitment to maintain and increase tree cover in the borough needs to be part of a wider strategy to protect, restore and create a variety of diverse habitats.
We will:
Work with partners to maintain and increase trees in the Borough
- review TMBC land to identify suitable sites for trees, working with the Woodland Trust to start tree planting schemes
- engage with tree planting initiatives such as The Queen's Green Canopy tree planting scheme, to encourage community tree planting
- KCC has committed to planting a tree for every person in Kent, which totals just over 1.5 million. In partnership with KCC we have recently planted a trial 'Tiny Forest' at Leybourne. We will seek opportunities to plant further Tiny Forest plots across the borough if suitable sites are identified
- work with local landowners to encourage tree planting and explore opportunities for planting within boundaries and hedgerows
- work with organisations such as The Woodland Trust to get more trees for schools and community groups to undertake planting projects
- work with developers to plan for more native trees and canopy coverage within new developments
Explore available grant funding opportunities to maximise opportunities for tree planting schemes
- accessing grants will allow us to go beyond the current tree planting budget to enable additional planting and management of existing trees
- accessing the Defra Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), the Emergency Tree Fund, Nature for Climate Fund and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund will support increased tree planting and natural regeneration in local communities. This could enable additional tree planting in areas such as riverbanks, hedgerows, parklands, urban areas, beside roads and footpaths, in copses and community spaces
Work on tree conservation
- minimise the removal of trees on council-owned land, unless there are overriding arboriculture or health and safety needs for felling
- we will protect ancient woodlands and veteran trees in line with Government policy
- we will support planting of new trees as part of developments to support biodiversity, habitat creation and carbon reduction measures
- we will seek opportunities to deliver “Biodiversity Net Gain” in line with Government policy at the time decisions are taken. This will include using native species when planting new trees and supporting existing habitats. Working with the Kent Local Nature Partnership, the Council will look to Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOAs) as these may help identify locations where tree planting may help support existing habitats best
The Tonbridge and Malling tree charter recognises the value of trees, the many benefits they have in terms of biodiversity and the increasingly important role they can play in mitigating the effects of climate change, risks of flooding and pollution control.
Funding opportunities will be explored to plant native trees in the borough that survive and thrive. A tree that is wanted and planted appropriately will bring the most benefit and avoid potential problems as it grows. In supporting the aims of the tree charter, we recognise the importance of trees now and for future generations.
The Tonbridge and Malling tree charter sits alongside our Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030 and annual Climate change action plan. Tree planting ambitions and targets will be incorporated into future climate change action plans.