Protecting and improving the environment for everyone who lives here and for future generations is one of South Hams District Council’s top priorities.

That is why I am so pleased we are moving full steam ahead with our next environmental project. Bowcombe Creek Woods is a new community woodland at West Charleton, near Kingsbridge and takes us a step closer to our ambition of planting a tree for every resident in the South Hams.

Over the winter, 20,000 trees and shrubs will be planted across 17 hectares of land to create a mosaic of nature-rich habitats including oak-rich woodland, scrub, new hedgerows, restored grassland and a small orchard. It will provide wildlife such as the rare Cirl Bunting with habitats to thrive in and help reduce pollution in the estuary.

I recently visited this magnificent site and was blown away by the sweeping views across the area. A number of the most valued views will be kept clear from trees so people can sit and continue to enjoy the vista during circular walks. Grants from DEFRA’s National Trees for Climate Fund (enabled by the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest) and The Woodland Trust means this has all been made possible without much cost to the Council.

I would like to thank the local community for all their feedback on the design of this project. There will be plenty of opportunity for residents, schools and community groups to get more involved by planting trees and hedges, sowing wildflowers, maintaining the site and taking part in wildlife surveys. This local involvement will turn the area into a true community woodland, developed and cared for by the people who use it.

This all builds on the success of Hope Wood at South Brent. People came out in their droves to help create this fantastic woodland and I’m really pleased to see it thriving in its second year of being created. It was the start of something special.

Trees are such an important part of our environment, so we must look after them. Earlier this month I was pleased to attend an event celebrating a magnificent veteran oak tree in Totnes which has stood proudly on council land in Longmarsh for an estimated 254 years! The tree was formally recognised by the Woodland Trust and has now been uploaded onto the Ancient Tree Inventory to help protect it for years to come.

Unfortunately, we can’t protect all trees, but as a council we will not hesitate to take legal action if rules are broken. That can be demonstrated by our successful prosecution relating to the long-running Locks Hill development in Kingsbridge when planning conditions designed to protect trees and a neighbouring Grade II listed building were breached.

We are a council that turns our environmental promises into action. We want to increase biodiversity, tackle climate change and create healthier, more resilient communities. Step by step we are creating a lasting green legacy for the South Hams.