The UK has just three decades to reach net-zero emissions and tree planting has emerged as a prominent part of the government’s plan to get there.

At the Council Meeting in July 2021, Stone Parish Council joined over 230 Councils in the UK who have already declared a Climate Emergency.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of making the declaration, resolving to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.

Throughout the life of our three-year strategic plan and in pursuit of a greener parish and improved air quality, we will be taking on a huge challenge to plant 3,000 trees in three years. This will include utilising council-owned land, collaborating with local landowners and possibly even providing trees for resident’s gardens, where this is appropriate.

Tree planting will include establishing fruit and nut trees to create community orchards where this is feasible.

We will also utilise new hedges instead of trees, where these will help to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety or contribute to effective absorption of C0² pollution.

Atlas Park, more commonly known as Stone Pit I by residents, has been owned and operated by Land Logical since 2014. The 41 hectare (101 acre) site is a previously landfilled former chalk pit and is being progressively restored with the overall objective being to return the site to a sustainable landform suitable for use as publicly accessible greenspace, with enhanced biodiversity. For more information about the site click here.

Land Logical have planted 3,000-4,000 native trees this Spring alone and there is potential to plant over 20,000 more should the site be given the support required to open up the site to the public. As outlined in the Stone Parish Neighbourhood Plan, the council is fully supportive of the development planned for Horns Cross as it will open up a significant amount of green space for residents to enjoy.

This additional tree planting will help support the biodiversity of the area and help tackle the high levels of pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide emissions, providing cleaner air for residents.

Funding from Kent County Council supported the purchase of 12 mature fruit trees that were planted by our grounds team at The Claire Tiltman Centre during February and March 2023 helping to create a community orchard. The community orchard has been dedicated to King Charles III, to memorialise his recent coronation.

A range of quince, apple, cherry, plum and pear trees were planted. As the trees begin to flourish we hope to make the orchard open to members of the community to support projects linked with sustainable living. The orchard will also support the councils mission to providing cleaner air for residents as well as providing habitats for local wildlife to grow and thrive.

The Claire Tiltman Centre is home to the 6th Brent Scouts who run sessions every weekday evening from the centre for residents of Stone and the surrounding area. Throughout the winter months the 6th Brent Scouts further enhanced the environment of the centre by planting 425 trees. These trees will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the centre and provide much needed green support for the local environment as they create habitats for local wildlife and cleaner air for residents.