We will plant a wood for everyone, for now and the future following the isolation of Covid. Spaced 10 metres apart, the trees will be a glade for use by everyone, eventually developing a full green canopy. The wood will serve to both screen a factory and reduce the noise it makes, bringing into use a neglected part of the Green. It will offer an enhanced environment for wildlife, attracting a wider range of birds, owls and bats than we have at present. The wood will also provide an improved amenity to a public space already extremely popular with local people and visitors and which has offered great comfort during recent times of social isolation. It will sit at the heart of a valued public asset and reflect the Green's precious role in uniting all ages and interests. We will be reaching out to nearby care homes and schools inviting all ages to come together to join nature sessions and get involved with planting/learning about biodiversity.

What we'll deliver:

• We will plant and maintain 35 semi-mature native trees
• We will ensure that they are protected and sheltered to maturity
• We will link the popular woodland walk with the southern boundary, allowing a shaded walk around half of the Green
• An opportunity for people to come together and create a social space

Why it's a great idea:

The Hythe Green Wood will be a sheltered glade occupying the space in front of the factory, reducing sight and noise. It will provide a shaded pathway link from the woodland walk and the southern boundary beside the school. The wood will appear as semi-mature, with an immediate visual impact and be protected from casual vandalism which smaller plantings will attract. In time, the trees will form a green canopy and provide a shaded corner where we can place benches. It will be open and spacious, with trees placed no nearer than 10 metres apart. The wood will have a clearing at its heart for people to sit and meet. Open to everyone and helping people re-connect again after Covid isolation, the wood will provide a further green space to add to the visual attractiveness of the Green and people's enjoyment of it as well as attracting a wider variety of birds and wildlife.

Steps to get it done:

• All trees planted by early October
• All support mechanisms (reserve water supply) in place by mid-October

Like many areas, Hythe is suffering the loss of trees due to development. This represents a step in redressing this. It also helps to enhance a precious local amenity - one which people have come to value highly in recent months. The Green is a crucial social hub which has helped during the recent period of isolation - the new wood will allow people to come together in funding and creating a new focal point as people rediscover social participation. It will provide opportunities for continuing volunteer engagement and build on the increase in individual and community group activities such as litter-picking, weed removal and wildflower planting. 35 semi-mature native trees will occupy a triangle of land linking a recently revitalised and popular Victorian woodland walk and a shaded pathway offering views across the Green to the town and hills beyond.