City dwellers urged to dig for biodiversity

A council wants city dwellers to get digging so their descendants can go down to the woods.

Peterborough City Council and environmental charity PECT are creating "mini forests" in a bid to boost biodiversity in Peterborough.

Gardeners are planting tennis court-size forests over the next few weeks and want locals to join in.

A council spokesman said admission was free, all were welcome regardless of experience, and no-one needed to bring tools.

The council said a "key goal" was to reduce carbon emissions across Peterborough.

A spokesman said the city's first "mini forest" was planted in 2024 at the John Clare Recreation Ground in Gunthorpe.

He said the money had come from the Forestry Commission's "Local Authority Treescapes Fund" and three more mini forests were now being planted.

"Residents are being invited to boost Peterborough's biodiversity by taking part in a unique community project," the spokesman said.

"Three mini forests will be planted in the city... and everyone is invited to get involved."

He added: "A mini forest is simply a compact forest, typically about the size of a tennis court, and blends wildflower meadow and native woodland species to form a rich, overlapping ecosystem."

The council said planting events were taking place at the three sites – off Celta Road in Woodston, David's Lane, Werrington, and Bradwell Road, Longthorpe - over the next month.

Angus Ellis, the council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We're delighted to have secured funds to plant three more mini forests in Peterborough and look forward to getting the trees in the ground at these sites and seeing them flourish.

"I would encourage everyone to get involved – this is a unique chance for communities to come together and develop three sites into natural habitats which can be enjoyed by people of all ages for years to come."

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