Greening Up West Cambridge

A huge planting scheme has started at the University's West Cambridge Site . A great avenue of lime trees and over five kilometres of native trees and shrubs will be planted between now and Christmas 2001 in order to provide an attractive setting and better habitats for wildlife.

The avenue of six-metre high silver-leafed limes will be established along the main entrance into the site. Money for the lime trees has been raised by individuals and branches of the Cambridge Society and some of the trees will be planted in memory of members' loved ones.

The 66-hectare West Cambridge Site, which is to be slowly developed over the next 25 years, is part of the University's strategy for providing modern research and teaching facilities for departments currently housed in old buildings in the city centre.

Project Manager, Stephen Fallon said, "Landscape planting of the site is particularly important as a method of integrating the new development area into its surroundings and creating a sense of place. The ecology of the site will be significantly enhanced by the perimeter planting by creating habitats and wildlife corridor links to surrounding areas of scrub and trees."

Over the Winter months belts of native tree and shrubs will be planted along the perimeter of the site but will vary in height to keep views open to the wider countryside. The planting will receive a grant from the Forestry Commission as part of its Woodland Grant Scheme.

The landscape has been designed by McQuitty Landscape Design and the impact of the landscape planting on wildlife will be closely monitored by a team of ecologists led by Professor Max Wade from the University of Hertfordshire.

Project Team:

Further information:
For further information please contact Kate Morris on 01223 339671.