Page 19 - City Life Magazine - Spring 2021

www.worcester.gov.uk 19

ENVIRONMENT
6,650 new trees planted

in Worcester this winter

The enormous tree planting effort has been made possible thanks
to successful applications by Worcester City Council to central

Government’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund, which aims to support the
planting of more than 130,000 trees across England’s towns and cities.

Council staff during mammoth tree
planting session at Perdiswell

Cllr Andy Stafford plants
trees at Perdiswell - with
a little help from his dog

“Planting more trees is one of several work. I’d therefore like to thank all A further 1,500 trees have been
actions set out in the Environmental the staff involved.” planted at Diglis Playing Fields
Sustainability Strategy for Worcester, (WR5 3EF) to create woodland
which aims for the city to become A ten-strong team of staff from walkways and 600 at the Howard
carbon neutral by 2030,” says Cllr Andy Worcester City Council completed Road recreational grounds in St.
Stafford, Vice Chair of Worcester City the mammoth task of planting John’s, creating a barrier with
Council’s Environment Committee. 4,000 native broadleaved trees in neighbouring residential properties.
Perdiswell. The species were selected The remaining 550 trees have been
“As anyone who’s tried it knows, by the Forestry Commission to planted in a variety of locations
tree planting is hard and painstaking maximise biosecurity and biodiversity. across the city.
Financial support to keep Worcester homes

warm – and save money on heating bills

Worcester residents can to net zero emissions by money on heating bills, external wall insultation, this
apply for free external 2050. at no cost to you. I would is expected to rise to a C.
wall insulation, if their urge people who meet the
combined household “Improving the energy qualifying criteria to come Home occupants are
income is £30,000 or less. efficiency of local people’s forward and apply.” expected to save an
homes is an important average of £150 per year on
Funding is available step towards meeting To qualify, you must be energy bills, following the
following a successful Worcester’s pledge to a homeowner and your improvements.
countywide application to become carbon neutral by property must have solid
the Government’s Green 2030,” says Cllr Joy Squires, walls (as opposed to To find out more and
Homes Grant local delivery Chair of the City Council’s cavity walls). The property to check your eligibility
scheme. This aims to help Environment Committee. must have an Energy for the scheme, contact
reduce fuel poverty, phase Performance Certificate of E Act on Energy at https://
out high carbon fossil fuel “This is a really good or below (with A being the actonenergy.org.uk/ or call
heating and contribute opportunity to make your most energy efficient and G 0800 988 2881 (Monday to
to the UK’s commitment home warmer and to save being the worst). Following Friday 9am to 5pm).

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