A COUNCILLOR has asked if new trees could be planted in a Wellington car park to make it look more attractive.

Wellington Town Council’s environment committee heard on July 17 that a tree strategy action plan was being put together as part of the authority’s project on “doing its bit” to reduce the harmful effects of climate change.

The council’s very own climate change project officer, Stephen Tate, who has a real passion for his area of expertise, said: “We have identified 32 sites in the town where new trees could be planted so we are now going to be looking at the costs and the number of trees we could have.”

Open spaces manager, Darren Hill, added that they would be looking at a variety of different species of trees for the project.

The update was welcomed by councillors, but Cllr Keith Wheatley asked if the North Street car park in Wellington could be looked at as a possible site.

“Could we look at putting a couple of trees in the North Street car park – it is a hideous space,” he said.

Cllr Wheatley said they might have to pay Somerset Council some compensation for the loss of a couple of parking spaces, but added it would be worth it in an attempt to try and improve the car park which he likened to a “football pitch of tarmac.”

Committee chairman, Cllr Mike McGuffie, said that the council could look at supermarket car parks in the town as well at Asda and Waitrose to see if they were in need of some trees.

Councillors agreed that they needed to get the local community involved in the tree project with planting and possible sponsorship, while the council should explore possible extra grant funding schemes.

The town council has said it wants to increase the volume of trees in Wellington over the next 20 years which would help improve absorption of carbon emissions and provide food and shelter for native habitat.

Late last year the council gave away 305 dwarf fruit trees to individuals and groups around Wellington to plant.