A pilot scheme is being launched in phases to replace missing street trees in the area.

The community group, Transition Wilmslow, has been leading a campaign for improvement to the tree planting policy that was introduced by Cheshire East Highways and Transport.

The policy which was introduced in 2023 allows street trees to be planted or replaced if they are a minimum of 3m from the carriageway and in a grass verge a minimum of 1.1m wide.

Transition Wilmslow conducted an audit of 405 street trees in Wilmslow's main avenues and found that 84 per cent of existing trees didn't meet the criteria and therefore would not be replaced if lost.

Some roads including Styal Road have no trees which would meet this criteria.

Councillors have worked with the Northern tree funding organisation, Mersey Forest, to construct a pilot tree-planting scheme covering Lacey Green designed to demonstrate that it is possible for a local community to bring in external funding to cover costs of tree planting and maintenance, working in collaboration with Cheshire East.

A phased approach was proposed. Firstly, adding more trees to large open green spaces in Lacey Green; secondly, targeting smaller urban green spaces; and finally, replacement of missing trees in Manchester Road and Styal Road.

The Cheshire Tree Alliance, have proposed to use external funding to plant trees in public open space, including on highways land (Nub News).

In February 2025, Cheshire East's Environmental Services accepted a grant of over £30,000 from Mersey Forest for 34 trees to be planted by Cheshire East this season in the larger green spaces, specifically around Lacey Green Pavilion and the Carrs.

In March 2025, as a second phase, Councillors started work with Cheshire East Parks and Recreation Services to create a Master Plan for Lacey Green Park.

Members of the public will be encouraged to engage with this over the summer. The plan includes an arboretum, to bring some interest and colour to the park throughout the year.

It also covers new pathways and improvements to the play area and BMX area.

Once plans are finalised, sources of funding will be explored to enable the park improvements and arboretum to become a reality over the coming years.

The Cheshire Tree Alliance, have proposed to use external funding to plant trees in public open space, including on highways land which the council have been open to.

If this Cheshire Tree Alliance pilot scheme in Lacey Green is successful, this should create opportunities for street trees to be planted and replaced in towns and villages right across Cheshire East. 

Once a planting plan is agreed with Cheshire East Highways, Cheshire Tree Alliance will work with Mersey Forest to seek grant funding for planting over winter 2025/26.

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