Plan to transform potato fields into woods for Queen's Jubilee

Sunday 12 December 2021

The National Trust has put forward a plan to plant 700 new trees and 700 shrubs on former côtils at Bouley Bay to mark 70 years of Queen Elizabeth being on the throne next year.

The charity, which seeks to safeguard the island's natural beauty, has submitted a planning application requesting permission to turn the 0.41 hectares of open space into “broadleaf woodland with transitioning patches of scrub.”

In a statement accompanying their application, the National Trust explained that the owners of the côtils had approached them about planting the slope with trees and permanently donating the land to them.

The fields had been used previously for potato growing, but the lease was relinquished because they were "very steep and difficult to work with."

The current owners expressed how they wanted to see benefits to wildlife incorporated into future plans.

Pictured: The fields were previously leased out for potato growing, but were considered "very steep and difficult to work with."

The Trust noted how the côtils are located in "a woodland-rich setting, which would be complemented by additional tree planting.

"But rather than planting a solid block of trees, the vision for this site quickly became one of a transitional habitat, one which would merge both the coastal heathland habitat, which can be seen on the land above the côtils, into a broadleaf woodland with transitioning patches of scrub.

"It was felt that this approach would benefit the widest variety of species and be most in-keeping with the area."

Furthermore, it was noted that Government House had approached them about finding an area to plant for the Queen's Green Canopy tree-planting initiative, which invites people to 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee'.

The Trust said how "all parties feel that this location is suitable for such a project."

Pictured: The plans would see 700 trees and 700 shrubs planted over 0.41Ha of land.

If approved, the plans will see 320 English Oak trees, 15 Sweet Chestnut trees, 15 Ash trees, 70 Short Leaved Lime trees, 70 Wild Cherry trees, 70 Rowen trees, 70 silver birch trees, and 70 willow trees planted.

In addition, 200 Hawthorn shrubs, 120 Elder shrubs, 150 Field Maple shrubs, and 70 Crab Apple shrubs would be grown.

The design statement adds: "Future management will involve the tree and shrub planting areas being annually strimmed to suppress the regrowth of bindweed, bramble and bracken.

"This will be scheduled for the first three years, or until the successful establishment of the trees. The heathland area will require further management, to prevent encroachment, unless the rabbit population is high enough to control growth."

The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, 70 years of service, having acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 when she was 25 years old.

Government House is also hoping to mark the Platinum Jubilee year by installing an 'armillary' sundial designed by local artist Nick Romeril and his son, silversmith William, in its grounds.