Up to 10,000 trees grown in Langarth Garden Village’s onsite tree nursery are being planted in the new Governs Park over the next few weeks.
Joined by local Cornwall Councillor Dulcie Tudor and Councillor Derek Green from Kenwyn Parish Council earlier this week, the tree planting marks the first stage in the construction of the new park which is a key element of the Garden Village development.
Centred on the historic circular ring of trees known as Penventinnie Round, originally an iron age fort, Governs Park will provide around 35 hectares (85 acres) of natural green space, including 4.5ha of new woodland planting, and over 6km of walking and cycling routes linked to the wider Langarth path network.
Part of the wider Governs land has been set aside as a key green space for future residents of the Garden Village, as well as existing residents in the surrounding areas, including Threemilestone, Kenwyn and Truro.
The Park will be a designated SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space), designed in accordance with the guidelines & criteria set out by Natural England.
“While Governs Park will be constructed over the next few years, in line with the construction of housing, we wanted the trees to be established as early as possible “ said Olly Monk, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for housing and planning. “This will ensure that the completed park will benefit from what then will be an area of new woodland in amongst the existing mature trees that surround the park.”
Up to 50,000 new native trees will be planted at Langarth as the Garden Village develops over the next 20 to 25 years. These will help to provide food, shelter, shade and nesting and roosting sites for wildlife, as well as supporting cleaner air and helping to capture carbon.
“We are very proud that the trees, which are indigenous species found commonly in Cornwall, have been grown from small saplings in our onsite tree nursery allowing them to establish and acclimatise to our local conditions” said Portfolio Director Harry Lewis.
The tree nursery, which is managed by local company The Grower, has been developed with support from the local community, including pupils from Threemilestone Primary School.
Cornwall Councillor, the local member for Threemilestone and Chacewater, said “I remember helping to plant these tiny saplings at the nursery site. So it’s lovely to be back three years later to help relocate them to Governs Park. Trees are natures drainage infrastructure increasing water absorption, catching rainfall and slowing down surface water run off so they play a really important part in a Garden Village Development like Langarth.”
Kenwyn Parish Councillor Derek Green, added “ This is another big step towards making Langarth Garden Village site a green and nature friendly area. The trees will be a permanent feature for years to come and will help with drainage and providing a great natural environment for the residents of Langarth Garden Village.”
