The new designs for Pier Gardens are currently receiving the final design treatment to be able to tender the work out later this year.
Thanks to input from local people, the designers have made wildlife and planting key to the ideas – with green space and biodiversity central to many of the areas of the design.
A planting strategy has been created to include a much greater and varied mix of plants throughout the site that are adapted to the coastal environment. These will include hardy grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs that support the numerous birds and insects we see in the area.
Within the scheme, it’s also proposed that habitats for local wildlife, such as insect hotels and bird boxes, will be nestled within the planting, which will include areas of wildflowers and plants that support pollinators.
Throughout the scheme, there will be a net gain of trees and plants – tree replacement has already been considered and approved, and new trees, including native evergreen pines, have been chosen to complement the wider ecology across the site.
Ahead of the designs being tendered to the market, some early work needs to be done to elements of the site, for safety reasons.
During a detailed survey of trees within Pier Gardens earlier this year for the Government backed project, the arborist identified some trees that required early attention.
In June, one tree was felled next to Jade’s Ice Creams as it had grown too close to the building. Another in the same area was due to have the canopy reduced as it was dropping sap onto the public footpath. Work couldn’t be done at that time as birds had nested in it, so the work was deferred to later in the year.
Additionally, two trees next to Alexandra Road were identified for monitoring this year as it was noted that they weren’t in good health. Through the summer, they were monitored for any budding and foliage, and they have not come into leaf this year, which means that they have died.
Once a tree has died, it starts to dry out, and becomes a safety concern as it is more prone to fall in high winds, so on the advice of external specialists, these two trees will be felled.
Louth-based Acer Tree Care, a local company with nearly 20 years’ experience, will be carrying out the works on behalf of the Council on Wednesday 4 September.
For the works next to Jades, the steps and the seating area next to the ice cream parlour will be closed off for the duration of the works for safety. This is currently expected to take a few hours during the day.
To keep up to date on the Pier Gardens plans, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/pier-gardens.
Share this article