Thanet estate agent Miles and Barr has donated £250 towards a £2250 fundraising target to plant 14 trees along Princess Margaret Avenue.
Resident Barry Manners, who also runs the Friends of Botany Bay beach clean group, spoke with people living in the area about tree planting in Princess Margaret Avenue and found overwhelming support for re-greening the verges.
There followed a meeting with the Kent County Council Tree Officer at the site – together with Cliftonville East ward councillors. At the meeting, KCC agreed to initiate a site survey together with a ground scan. Only KCC is authorised to plant and it operates within strict guidelines to comply with traffic regulations and avoid disturbing underground utility pipes. The survey and scan have now taken place.
KCC has now confirmed the trees can be planted next year, subject to funding. Normally 100% of the cost would be borne by residents but afterward councillors lobbied KCC (it has agreed to match fund half the cost.
The fund needs to raise £2250 of the £4500 total cost of 14 trees so the planting can go ahead in Autumn 2023. The cost includes planting, cages, stakes and on-going care. Residents are able to contribute via the donation page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/trees-to-regreen-princess-margaret-avenue
