In keeping with our village environment, the Foxhills estate was originally designed to include a large number of trees in the open spaces. However, many of these have grown to a height that is now out of proportion for the spaces they are in. As a consequence, the Parish Council has taken advice on what needs to be done to maintain the trees on the perimeter and along the pathways.
Low boughs over the paths need to be lopped off and some of the Ash trees also need to be removed to clear access to the paths. The Hazels need to be re-coppiced. Dead plants need to be completely removed and replanted and many, many brambles need to be removed. The remaining trees and bushes need to be thinned out and will either be reduced in height or removed entirely to preserve the overall aesthetic but with a lower height line. The central area will remain as it is, with a huge number of trees and shrubs to support wildlife. Around the outside, the goal is to provide a 1m wide clear maintenance access between the fences.
Overall, the sight lines will be the same, but the short-range views from properties should be improved. The diagram below also gives a broad overview of the planned work.
We are now in discussion with tree surgeons to plan the work and hope to have it completed across the autumn/winter 2021. The properties most affected by this will be those on Fosters Spring, Gibbs Green and Keates Meadow that are adjacent to open space and the council will be contacting householders individually.
Any additional information can be found on our Foxhills Trees project page.
