Can you dig it? Portishead people combat storm damage with new trees

Sovereign Housing Association worked with residents to plant 18 fruit trees this week, replacing just a few of the estimated eight million lost this winter to storms and other severe weather.

Working alongside Sovereign employees, nine residents dug in to plant fruit 18 trees at the back of their properties at Briary Road, Portishead, with the intention of encouraging deer and other wildlife – as well as crops of fresh fruit, going forward.

That homes should have access to green space is one of the key recommendations of the government’s Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission, which states that green spaces, waterways and wildlife habitats should be seen as integral to the urban fabric – and that government should commit to a radical plan to plant two million street trees within five years.

Henry Palmer, community development officer for Sovereign, said: "These resident-led works were planned before the storms, and so it's serendipitous that they can respond to the trees lost in the big storms this last week, whilst off-setting our carbon footprint and creating more beautiful homes and places."

Resident Olwen commented on Sovereign’s donation of £840, saying: “This all helps develop a sense of community, through meeting other people during the tree planting. We also hope it will make it a better area for wildlife.”