Green dream moves a step closer in Bexhill street

MORE than 40 local residents, councillors, business owners and representatives met at Galleon Games in mid-January to voice their views about plans to “green” St Leonards Road.

Many believe that planting trees in the street which leads to the town centre will have environmental benefits as well as brightening up the road and attracting more visitors to the area.

Shane Frost from GreenBlue Urban, a local firm based in Bodiam, made a presentation on what he termed “the art of the possible” which is basically planning to plant trees and shrubs in streets such as St Leonards Road.

He outlined the company’s routine and irrigation system to ensure that the right trees are planted in the right location and can subsequently thrive without damaging the pavements or underlying infrastructure.

Organisers of the initial meeting expressed their gratitude to Lindsay White from Community Supporters who agreed to pilot the next stage of the project.

Working with local residents and businesses in the street Lindsey will co-ordinate the application to pay for a survey which will lead to a final bid for funding. That will then be submitted by local residents and the business community.

Arren Rathbone Ariel, the Green councillor for St Stephen’s ward, said: “Greening in areas like this has many benefits.

“It boosts the local economy and also the value of housing. In addition, it helps prevent storm flooding and helps create nature corridors for wildlife.

“It improves air quality and people’s mental health. Imagine, for instance, a green street where people want to shop and spend their money and time.”

Labour’s Christine Bayliss, joint deputy leader of Rother District Council, added: “It was great to see so many residents and people running businesses in St Leonards Road making the time to attend this important meeting.

“We clearly want to help residents improve the environment where they live and support businesses to grow and flourish, just like the trees we like to see planted.”

However, there is still plenty of work to be done before the green dream becomes a reality.

In order to progress the project further, a chairman, treasurer, and secretary need to be appointed and subsequently formalised.

Ms Bayliss said: “It is vital that a local action group be formed and then grants can be applied for to make this happen. It really needs to be a resident-owned project.”

Mr Frost said: “The planting of trees, once established, makes our street look wonderful. There are so many benefits to be derived from urban trees. Previous schemes have proven they add considerably to streets and their surrounding areas.

“An addition benefit is that it will be a bonus to future generations if this goes ahead as hoped we will be using mature, established trees to ensure their survival but I must stress that community involvement is absolutely vital as we move forward.

“Our plan is for trees to be planted at junctions along St Leonards Road but we must accept that the time scale could be between 12 to 18 months if external funding is needed.”

East Sussex Conservative councillor, Ian Hollidge, also attended the meeting and is a supporter of the project.

He said: “There are plenty of utilities in St Leonards Road which is something that needs to be taken into account, but it is doable.

“East Sussex County Council has a very good relationship with Rother District Council and I am sure we will both support this project as it progresses.

“But, it is important to stress the concept needs to be finalised first.

“As and when it gets to the next stage, it can become a smaller piece of a much larger jigsaw as we all work towards protecting and improving our environment.”