Three new 'micro woods' will be planted in Stevenage, it has been announced.

Stevenage Borough Council have been awarded £36,000 to plant the additional trees at St Nicholas Park, Hampson Park and Shephalbury Park.

Each wood will be around 200 square metres - roughly equivalent to the size of a tennis court.

The money has been granted to the council following an application to Defra's Coronation Living Heritage Fund, which will support tree planting initiatives to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III.

Planting has been scheduled to take place next winter (from 2024 into 2025), and a council spokesperson said "the community will be invited to support the planting of these new wooded areas".

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The woods will use a planting method pioneered by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, which is particularly effective in urban environments. Trees planted using this method grow more quickly and achieve higher levels of biodiversity.

Planting is scheduled to take place next winter (2024/25), and the community will be invited to support the planting of these new wooded areas.

Cllr Simon Speller, portfolio holder for environment and climate change at Stevenage Borough Council, said: “We are the only council in Hertfordshire to have been awarded this funding, and it shows our commitment to reducing our carbon emissions and reaching net zero.

“We all know how important trees are to the planet and to our health, and the planting of the three micro woods will follow our other endeavours to improve the environment for local people and wildlife – including the planting of Fairlane Wood, our wildflower and grassland meadows, and community orchards.

“Please look out for more information regarding the planting next year. This will be another community planting and we’d love as many of you as possible to get involved and help to make Stevenage even greener.”