The first tree at the new 114-acre Suffolk Park business development near Bury St Edmunds was planted yesterday as landscaping work got underway.
Councillor John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, planted an English Oak as part of the £175,000 contract, which will include 500 trees, 1.25 miles of hedge, 500 saplings and 22,000 route shrubs.
The planting, which started this week, is being undertaken in two phases.
The first phase includes planting along the estate road boundaries including Rougham Tower Avenue and Lady Miriam Way, and will take eleven weeks up to the end of March.
The second phase, along the estate’s main road, will follow in November and December giving each phase of planting the best opportunity to establish and thrive before the dry warmer months set in.
Mr Griffiths said: “This tree is symbolic of the roots that we have planted over several years all with the purpose of attracting inward investment and business growth here in west Suffolk while protecting our environment.
“We have worked and invested to achieve the Eastern Relief Road, Suffolk Business Park and with it Enterprise Zone status which makes it an even more attractive proposition to expanding or relocating businesses.
“Now we are investing in securing a high quality environment which will help attract the right mix of businesses to safeguard the growth of our economy now and into the future.
“That in turn will help to achieve greater level of skills, pay and opportunities for young people as they leave education, creating greater wealth, prosperity and better living conditions for all of our local residents.”
The contract is being undertaken by Aspect Landscape to designs by Indigo Landscape Architects.
Zeb Hoffman, of Indigo, said: “The English Oak is the quintessential British tree which can live for a 1000 years or more growing 20-40 metres.
“While we enjoy oaks for their rugged beauty, they also provide a variety of resources for local birds insects and wildlife, supporting more life forms than any other native tree.”
Nic Rumsey, managing director of developers Jaynic, said: “The quality of the environment is very important to us. We believe that this investment will be appealing to potential occupiers and their employees.”
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