A government grant of almost £300,000 to boost tree planting across Wiltshire and Swindon has been given to the two councils.

The funding for Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council will help deliver tree planting targets over the next two years that will see the planting of 111Ha of trees in the 2023-24 and 222 ha of trees in 2024-25.

The councils received £294,800, which will be used to bring on board the additional professional expertise they need for making new woodland.

The grant covers two years and will fund new Woodland Officers to work across Wiltshire and Swindon.

The role of the officers will be to assist in getting further funding for planting schemes.

Officers will also produce a woodland and tree strategy to ensure the right trees are planted in the right place and will ensure Government targets are met.

Wiltshire Council Leader Richard Clewer said: “We’re delighted to have been successful in getting this funding.

“We are an ambitious council and this additional money will help us achieve our tree planting targets and ensure we continue to make good progress as set out in our forward-thinking Natural Environment Plan.

“This is work we can’t do on our own and we’re looking forward to working with groups and landowners across Wiltshire to achieve our collective goal of maintaining and improving the natural environment.

“It’s in everyone’s best interests that we carry out this project successfully and this funding, together with the support of local people, will certainly give us the best opportunity.”

Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change Keith Williams said: “We’re pleased to have supported Wiltshire Council in their successful bid for funding, and to support in delivering the Trees for Climate programme.

“This will contribute towards the socio-economic and environmental transformation of local communities through woodland creation.

“Tackling climate change won’t happen overnight – but initiatives and funding like this will make a positive contribution towards the challenge.”

The council is keen to hear from local community groups and landowners across Wiltshire and Swindon who might be interested in working with the council to deliver these targets.

For more information or to express interest people should contact Paul Robertson (Senior Landscape Officer) at paul.robertson@wiltshire.gov.uk at Wiltshire Council or communityforest@swindon.gov.uk for Swindon Borough Council.

More information about the Government fund can be found here.