Agenda item

The report of the Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces provides an update on woodland creation and on the programme of tree planting related initiatives. In addition, an update is provided on biodiversity net gain as well as an update on practical initiatives such at the establishment of wildflower areas in collaboration with Butterfly Conservation in Roundhay Park using seed sourced through Natural England in order to provide areas of managed habitat for native butterflies and other invertebrates which links to the conservation work undertaken at Tropical World.

44  The report of the Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces provided an update on woodland creation and on the programme of tree planting related initiatives. In addition, an update was provided on biodiversity net gain as well as an update on practical initiatives such at the establishment of wildflower areas in collaboration with Butterfly Conservation in Roundhay Park using seed sourced through Natural England in order to provide areas of managed habitat for native butterflies and other invertebrates which linked to the conservation work undertaken at Tropical World.

Tony Stringwell, Parks Operations Manager, Climate, Energy & Green Spaces, highlighted the following information for Woodland Creation:

·  In response to the Council’s 2019 climate emergency declaration there was a need for significant tree planting, woodland creation and improvements to existing woodland. Submissions to and agreements from the Executive Board had doubled the proposed number of trees to be planted through corporate funds, with a target of 5.8 million trees over 25 years.

·  The Arium supported the programme, with trees grown there before being replanted by the operations team, as well as supporting public engagement and volunteering schemes.

·  Infographics were shown to outline the scope of benefits provided through tree planting which were available to Members for promotion of the programme.

·  The progression of tree planting since 2019 had been steady and for every 75 sites that were to be planted on, around 150 to 200 required prior identification as sites coming to fruition were often impacted by other service and utility requirements.

·  Progress for the planting season for 2024/25 was outlined as 39 current schemes with 16 whip planting sites and 23 new standard tree installation sites comprising of 27.4 hectares.

·  Internal and external consultations were held in order to seek opinions on sites planned for tree planting. The public consultation had closed on the 16^th of September 2024 and results were 79% positive, 14% negative and 7% neutral out of the 327 responses.

·  Beat-up surveys were used to assess the number of trees surviving at the end of the maintenance period and following surveying trees planted in 2022/23 an additional 37,039 trees were required to bring these sites up to standard. Significant rainfall had impacted upon tree survival rates.

·  1558 trees had been surveyed and audited with a fairly good success rate with 69% being healthy, however issues of vandalism were noted.

·  A GIS platform was used to for data analysis and quality assurance to monitor sites across the city. The mapping system was also used as a tool for the public to suggest potential sites, with 216 being received.

·  In order to limit the use of glyphosate, mulch matting trials were being run, including at a site Morwick Terrace, however, it was expensive, and glyphosate was often essential to meet targets. The trial had been positive, with a 68% survival rate and a further trial was proposed at a site in a more urban setting.

·  Seed collection schemes had engaged with young people and received good publicity, with seed collection days being run by park rangers.

·  An overview of the programme was displayed outlining key statistics of progress, which were overall positive.

·  Members with thanked for their input and support for delivering woodland creation.

A progress update was provided by Emma Trickett, Parks Technical Manager, in relation to bio-diversity net gain (BNG):

·  BNG was a planning regulation, introduced by the Environment Act 2021 and as of February 2024, it was mandated that a minimum 10% uplift in biodiversity was delivered on a given development site, or using BNG credits, where the Council would act as a broker, for sites deemed unsuitable for BNG.

·  Delivery of BNG was through improvement to or creation of wildlife habitats, which were to be maintained for 30 years.

·  Off site BNG delivery, using credits, was covered by the Council and was supported by the Parks & Green Spaces Strategy with the goal being to increase wildlife and biodiversity and reduce the impact of climate change.

·  During the pre-mandatory stage, the planning department had requested voluntary commitments from developers which had been used as a trial for the BNG process. During this time 18 pilot schemes were agreed as part of approved planning permissions, involving 101 biodiversity units (equivalent to £2.3million), with 6 more likely to be agreed. So far, 47 units (equivalent to £1million) had been received for 7 schemes.

·  The aim was to deliver BNG as close as possible to development sites, subject to suitability and capacity. Through consultation, 6 sites had been agreed for delivery, along with 30 year management plans, including a relaxed mowing scheme at Wyke Beck Valley, managed mowing at Asket Hill and three woodlands. Signage was to be installed to explain work and management processes to the public.

·  For the mandatory stage, the 10% uplift was enforceable, and the additional rules meant delivery was to be through a Habitat Banking Vehicle (HBV), rather than directly through the Council. This process, of allocating land for BNG to be leased to a HBV and registered with Natural England, was in development in liaison with Planning and Legal services.

·  BNG was to be like for like, so if hedgerows were removed then new hedgerows were required.

·  Land allocated for BNG was preferred to be large and linkable to other sites. Work was ongoing to identify and prioritise BNG sites potential sites at Otley Chevin, Rothwell Country Park, Skelton Lake and Killingbeck Fields under consideration.

Isobel Smith, Senior Estates Manager, provided an update on initiatives to establish wildflower areas, Butterfly Conservation and conservation work undertaken at Tropical World:

·  The Tropical World building, originally known as Coronation House and built in 1911, focused on conservation, preserving plant and animal species, with a role of educating the public on sustainable practices, biodiversity, as well as research projects. Members were encouraged to visit Tropical World and a site visit was proposed to be arranged.

·  The Butterfly Conservation Project, in line with zoo licence requirements, aimed to provide conservation research and training, captive breeding and reintroduction. Butterflies had been housed and associated with Tropical World since the 1940s.

·  Wildflower meadows at Roundhay Park were being established to provide habitat and food for native butterflies. Local community projects were run to involve people in protecting wild spaces and native species.

·  Wildflower meadow development relied upon partnership work with knowledge shared between institutions, with the Butterfly Conservation Society assisting with the scheme and Natural England donating seed.

·  Since the 1970s it was estimated that butterfly numbers and sightings had decreased by 80% and initiatives such as relaxed mowing assisted in reversing losses.

·  Meadow development work began in April 2023 with the areas Lakeside Meadow and Castle Meadow being selected, in consultation with partners and the public. Following success, the areas were to be expanded.

·  To encourage education and raise awareness, signage had been installed and zoo education, including workshops, were run at Tropical World. For future maintenance of the meadows, training and apprenticeships were available. 

·  A sculpture trail had been built around Tropical World and Roundhay Park to connect people to nature and the wildflower meadows.

·  Butterfly populations were monitored as part of the conservation work requirements at Tropical World which included inclusive training, a transect walk and the annual Big Butterfly Count, with data uploaded to the Butterfly Conservation Society website, which allowed success to be monitored.

·  Future plans to improve conservation work included expanding the development of the wildflower meadows, a new partnership with Wild Spaces, expansion of community events and expanding conservation work to include other species.

During discussions, the Committee considered the following points:

·  Seeking alternatives to glyphosate for woodland creation was supported by Members, but where glyphosate was used it was important to provide clear signage for the public.

·  Some concern regarding the capacity of overall suitable sites for woodland creation, given the need for some open green space provision and limitations for tree planting on land outside of Council ownership, were raised. In response it was noted that work in partnership with Asset Management and Regeneration sought to find the correct balance in spatial capacity for other purposes and needs from the corporate estate.

·  Council owned parks and greenspaces were comprised of over 4000 hectares and a balance was needed for different habitats and Members were to be kept informed of forthcoming proposals or options.

·  Engagement with private landowners was ongoing to identify sites with enough capacity for woodland creation and Members suggestions were welcome.

·  The details for the metrics for determining BNG were defined by Natural England and required an ecologist to make an assessment of the size, value and rarity of a site and develop proposals for a 10% biodiversity uplift, with the methodology considered robust.

·  The transect walk was on a defined route in order to provide equitable data for butterfly population monitoring over long time periods.

·  Kick sampling was explained as water sampling to assess the health of water habitats to inform research and was conducted at sites including Gledhow and Wyke Beck.

·  Although there had been some success in the mulch matting trial and further trials were planned, moving away from glyphosate in full posed difficulties in more urban settings. Glyphosate usage had decreased, and it was hoped that less reliance on it would be developed through further plans and consideration of other options.

·  It was confirmed that the nature and sculpture trails were open and information on conservation work, along with education events, were provided to schools. Further engagement work with schools was agreed to be explored, including improved communication models and updating information on the toolkit for young people on the Leeds By Example website.

·  The right balance for woodland creation against other community needs was important as open space was valuable and tree planting on Council housing land was not always appropriate. There had been objections noted to a tree planting consultation in Killingbeck and Seacroft and a response was to be followed up.

·  If parks were oversaturated with trees, rather than open amenity space, it may cause people to travel out of the area which had a carbon impact. It was hoped more options for woodland creation on privately owned land could come to fruition.

·  BNG was proposed to be delivered as close to a development site as possible but often limited space was available, it was noted that BNG was mandatory and could be provided anywhere across the city and could be added to existing high value sites. It was outlined that BNG credits were used to maintain and improve habitats and would not lead to a financial gain for the Council but would add value site management.

·  As the woodland creation programme was ambitious, all proposed sites were open to public consultation and in most cases required some form of agreement with Elected Ward Members, in liaison with the local community.

RECOMMENDED – That the report, along with Members comments, be noted.