Newcastle

New tree planting at Kenton Dene aims to provide a more parkland structure to this fantastic open space through new avenue planting to footpaths, smaller groupings and stands of trees to open spaces that will provide interest but still allow visibility through the site. Grass mowing regimes would be changed around groups of trees to allow a more biodiverse meadow to establish. Trees will also be planted adjacent to the mini football pitch at Grasswell Drive to edge the open space and provide colour and interest. Riparian, flood tolerant species will be planted in the wet meadow area towards Bygate Close to increase biodiversity and new species will go in opposite Burnfoot Court to try and limit illegal access across the site by vehicles. Species selection will be focused on native varieties which will help encourage wildlife and larger scale trees such as Beech, Oak and London Planes that are well suited to large open spaces.

Extensive avenue tree planting to existing footpaths to add visual amenity, colour and variety to the scheme. Smaller groupings and stands of trees to open spaces will be introduced across the site that will provide interest but still allow visibility through the park. Grass mowing regimes would be changed around groups of trees to allow a more biodiverse meadow to establish. We would also like to add to and extend tree belt and hedge planting to screen the Stagecoach depot boundary. Species selection will be focused on native varieties which will help encourage wildlife and larger scale trees such as Beech, Oak and London Planes that are well suited to large open spaces. The history of the site, being an old waterway and running parallel to Silver Lonnen would be interpreted through the planting of Silver Birch varieties with stunning white stems and dappled crowns.

Children and young people from D2 Youth Zone have been working with us to develop a small community orchard on area in front of D2 Youth Zone on East Thorpe. The orchard would be made up of 18 fruit trees that the youth project will care for and the community will be welcome to pick fruit from each year. The children would also like to plant an Oak tree in memory to their friend Aras Rudzianskas, who tragically died in the River Tyne in 2024. We are also proposing to plant 22 ornamental trees to the open green spaces around East Thorp to add some colour and amenity to the area.

10 x Orchard fruit trees to create a community orchard. Sited to the north east of the play area, the trees would include species suited to the Newcastle climate and be available for the community to enjoy their produce. The trees would be planted at minimum 5m spacings and will be staked and protected with a mesh guard.

Avenue tree planting to existing footpaths to add visual amenity, colour and variety to the scheme. Parkland group planting to develop a more formal park feel to the site. Grass mowing regimes would be changed around groups of trees to allow a more biodiverse meadow to establish.

Blakelaw Park has seen lots of transformation in recent years with the opening of the new leisure united facility and increased use of the football pitches. The park has seen increased footfall and is used by a wide variety of community members. The proposed scheme would see new trees planted to create beautiful avenues to the footpaths on the western side, stands of trees to the south western perimeter to add to the parkland feel and new riparian flood tolerant species near to the drainage basin that will help take up water and grow to be impressive landscape features. New trees will add visual variety for people walking through the park and spending time there on leisure activities.