ELD Secures 40 Trees for the Cattle Market Car Park (February 2009)

The Bury Society engaged local Chartered Landscape Architects, Elwood Landscape Design (ELD) to present a strategy for a ‘greener’ and more attractive outlook across the former Cattle Market car park in Bury St Edmunds. The Society was gravely concerned by the Borough’s ‘bleak’ proposals for this gateway entrance into the town’s retail district, with only 14 trees originally proposed by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

Persistence and patience has paid off. The council have since agreed to follow the ELD proposals, to accommodate 40 hornbeam trees within the car park leading to the arc shopping centre and heart of the old town. These trees will provide a lasting legacy to the town, surviving into the next century, improving the visual and physical environment next to Parkway.

BSE Society Chairman, Sarah Green said, ‘I am delighted with the outcome and the fact that we have maximised opportunities for the ‘greening up’ of our town". The Bury Society has provided a major contribution of £20,000 towards the tree planting; one of the largest donations given in recent years from the Society’s 1987 Dr Alison Rae Bequest, whose charitable objects are for, ‘local projects whether of creation or preservation in or near the town centre.’

Ruth Elwood, Director of ELD stated, ‘we are thrilled that common sense has at last prevailed. The trial pits have confirmed that 40 trees can be planted without the loss of parking spaces and there is no doubt, as they mature, they will provide a very positive contribution to the local environment. As Landscape Architect’s, it is vital that we grasp every opportunity to improve the green infrastructure of our town centres, for the benefit of future generations; especially in light of climate change and development pressures on existing trees. This was a prime opportunity, that we assessed and reviewed and has now reached a very positive conclusion for all those involved.’

Tree planting and refurbishment of the car park should be concluded over the next month or so to coincide with the opening of the arc shopping centre in Spring 2009.