More trees could be planted in streets across Bath and North East Somerset to improve the local area and help tackle the climate and ecological emergencies.

Residents are being asked to have their say on where individual trees should be planted in Bath, Keynsham, Saltford, Peasedown St John, Paulton and Camerton in a four-week consultation launched on Monday, 5th September.

B&NES Council’s street trees project aims to plant trees that will provide a wealth of benefits for people and nature, underpinned by the ‘right tree, right place’ principle.

In October 2019 the Council agreed to develop a strategy for planting trees across B&NES and a target to plant 100,000 trees by May 2023 in collaboration with partners and communities.

The street trees project proposes planting in the following locations:

Bath: Bear Flat, Evelyn Road, Fox Hill, Old Frome Road, Southdown Estate and Third Avenue.

North East Somerset: The Daglands, Camerton, Coronation Avenue (and surrounding), Keynsham, Tennis Court Avenue, Paulton, Orchard Way, Peasedown St John and Stratton Road, Saltford.

If feedback from the consultation supports the proposals, the Council will work with the Forest of Avon Trust on a funding application to the government’s Trees for Climate Grant.

Councillor Kevin Guy, Council Leader, said: “Trees benefit nature and our communities in so many ways, including slowing the impacts of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating air temperature with water vapour and shade. They also enhance local biodiversity, promote mental and physical wellbeing for everyone and improve the streetscape. We are ambitious in our plans for tree planting in B&NES as trees are crucial to our goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“However, in order for trees to thrive they must be the right tree planted in the right place, so we are asking for your thoughts on the proposed planting locations across the district.”

The proposed locations for each tree can be viewed on a map on the consultation page: bathnes.gov.uk/street-trees-project. The consultation closes at 5pm on October 3rd.

Trees planted in residential areas would be in line with property boundaries and not directly outside of homes or driveways. Species of trees would be selected for characteristics that fit into the urban environment. The mature height and width of the trees will be considered, as well as how planted trees would affect utilities and the surrounding infrastructure.

Anyone not able to access the consultation online can request a paper copy by calling Council Connect on: 01225 39 40 41 or by emailing: [email protected]