Improvement scheme to start at Whitehead Gardens, Tottington

Monday, 24 February 2025 10:30

By David Murphy

A partnership project at Whitehead Gardens in Tottington is taking another step forward as tree works are carried out to remove those trees that are dead, dying or diseased.

The works will be carried out across the week, weather permitting, and parts of the gardens will be intermittently closed to the public for safety reasons.

Other works to be carried out at the site include improvements to access and pathways, installing some new seating areas, wildflower planting, wall repairs, improving drainage, and bringing the staged area within the gardens back into community use.

The full improvement programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (circa £150k) Bury Council (£20k) and is being delivered in partnership with Bury West Rotary Club, Tottington Primary and Tottington High School. And overseeing delivery of the project is community interest company Proffitts – Investing in Communities.

Councillor Alan Quinn, Cabinet Member for the Environment, Climate Change and Operations said: “This is an exciting time for Whitehead Gardens as this partnership improvement project gets underway. People shouldn’t be concerned by the tree works at this site, only dead, dying or diseased trees will be removed. There will also be some pruning works to remove dead branches and improve the structure and safety of the healthy trees that will remain in the gardens.

“Quality green spaces are so important for social interaction, biodiversity and mental wellbeing. When this whole project is complete, the people of Tottington will have a fantastic asset that everyone can enjoy for many years to come.”

A representative of Tottington and Bury West Rotary Club commented: “After several months consulting with visitors, specialist arborists, council tree officers, and greenspace officers, planning approval for the tree work has been secured and contractors will now be able to start removing some of the dead, dying and diseased trees within the gardens. The work will not only make the site safer and lighter for visitors, but we should also see the healthier trees and plants begin to flourish more too.’’

Rachael Gildert, Landscape Architect from Proffitts – Investing in Communities said: “We’re delighted to be part of a project that helps keep amazing spaces like WhiteheadGardens accessible for everyone. During all the improvements, including the tree works, our key aim is to minimise any environmental impacts and keep the space as natural as possible. Where any problem trees are removed, the team will leave standing trunks, create new habitat piles, and plant a mixture of new trees and native understorey shrubs. Later in the project, local school children will also help plant woodland plugs and bulbs that should bring much more colour, interest, and wildlife, to the site too.’’

The progress of this project can be followed online at http://www.profittscic./community-projects/whitehead-gardens/