Trees for Congleton – Completed Sites
Hillfields Close
Description
This informal amenity green space is located to the north of Congleton Park and linked to the steep slopes of Town Wood (which is a Local Wildlife Site) with informal footpaths. The main entrance is off Hillfields Close. The green space is dominated and enclosed by mature oak and sycamore trees to the south within Town Wood, and these can also shade it. In the eastern section, a trimmed hedge separates the green space from the wood.
In 2021 Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Trees for Congleton volunteers planted a line of oak and beech trees, small copses of native trees and shrubs and two mini-orchards. Some replacement planting was carried out in 2022. The scheme was supported by Mersey Forest through the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the William Dean Trust.
Planting benefits
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- Buffering of Town Wood to protect Local Wildlife Site flora and fauna, and provide future replacement skyline trees when viewed from the town centre
- Woodland edge plants in new copses to reinforce existing woodland
- Carbon storage to mitigate effects of climate change
- Addition to green network, providing new habitats, flowers and berries for wildlife
- Mini-orchards for food and amenity.
Management
Once new planting is established, generally after one year, it is handed over to Congleton Town Council’s Streetscape team which already looks after green spaces in the town. Cheshire East Council (Ansa) may also be involved, working alongside our Town Council team. Fruit trees are pruned by volunteers. It is appreciated that many residents help by picking litter when visiting the green space.
Note that some of the young trees and shrubs planted can be coppiced (by workers trained in woodland management) if there is any conflict with other uses, but generally the intention is that they are allowed to grow to expand and form a new edge to existing woodland.
Would you like to be a friend of Hillfields Close green space?
Since early 2023, a group of Friends of the open space has been formed, likely to influence future maintenance and development of the green space. A ‘friend’ would keep an eye on the site and report any damage or problems, or indeed how the plants are flourishing! As one of the Town Council’s 30 Biodiversity Sites any information on wildlife or suggestions for enhancement would be welcomed. Please fill in the form below with your contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.
Get Involved………
If you have been inspired by what you have read, want to volunteer or join the Congleton Partnership…….we are waiting to hear from you!