High Peak MP Robert Largan is encouraging community groups across the area to apply for a share of a £10 million pot to grow more trees in urban areas through small scale planting projects. 

Launched last May, the project aims to support the planting of more than 130,000 trees across England’s towns and cities.

The Forestry Commission has opened the second round of the Urban Tree Challenge Fund for community and volunteer groups, town councils and individuals to apply to. 

This second round follows the success of round one, which saw thirteen large scale projects from local authorities and large organisations awarded grants to plant more than 50,000 trees in urban areas.

Successful applicants of round two will not start planting trees until the next planting season in winter 2020/21.

Robert Largan MP commented: 

“Earlier this year, I welcomed the £640 million for the Nature for Climate Fund in the Budget, which will help to increase tree planting across the UK to 30,000 hectares per year by 2025, alongside peatland restoration and nature recovery.

“Building on this progress, the Urban Tree Challenge Fund is a really worthwhile scheme, and I would encourage local groups and individuals here in the High Peak to get involved.

“It’s been proven that planting more trees would improve health and wellbeing, absorb noise, reduce flood risk, and creates green spaces to help High Peak communities come together.”