Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) are working together to plant a wood in Biggleswade to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
The Jubilee Wood will be located at Kennel Farm, close to Stratton Business Park and residential areas in the east of Biggleswade including the new Kings Reach development. It will cover approximately 20 acres of land and once planted, will provide a fabulous new woodland for Biggleswade residents to enjoy.
The Jubilee Wood will form an important part of the Biggleswade 'Green Wheel', a new project with the vision for a green ‘circular’ corridor around Biggleswade, which encourages walking and cycling and increases biodiversity and is currently being developed. Once archaeological surveys have been completed, the design of the woodland will be undertaken with the help of the local community.
Planting will be predominantly native woodland species, but will also include a community orchard using locally distinct varieties of fruit trees. The woodland will also incorporate a ‘Jubilee feature’ to be chosen following consultation with the local community over the summer.
The scheme will be funded by the Woodland Grant Scheme and the council's Green Infrastructure Planning Obligations Fund. It is anticipated that the first phase of tree planting will take place late in 2012.
Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, said: “We are really pleased to be able to work with BRCC to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by providing a woodland for the whole community to enjoy. It is important to us that the community is involved in the creation of this Jubilee Wood so we hope that people will join us for the tree planting events later in the year.”
Cliff Andrews, Green Infrastructure Team Leader for BRCC said: “Through the Ivel and Ouse Countryside Project, BRCC has a long history of being actively involved in countryside management and public access in the Biggleswade area. We are very pleased to be partnering with Central Bedfordshire Council in this exciting project. As well as bringing great benefits to people and wildlife in its own right, the Diamond Jubilee Wood will be a major asset along the Biggleswade Green Wheel.”
“BRCC is looking forward to working with local residents and organisations at a number of community planting events later in 2012 and into 2013."
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