Mary Macleod MP, Member of Parliament for Brentford and Isleworth recently raised a question in the House of Commons to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to emphasis how important our parks and green spaces are to our city life in London.

Mary said, “Green spaces and trees are vital in our cities, and I am fortunate that my constituency has many beautiful parks, including Dukes Meadows, Gunnersbury Park, Osterley Park, Boston Manor Park, Syon Park and Hounslow Heath. Can my Right Honorable Friend tell me what plans the Department has to plant many more trees across the city of London?”

The Secretary of State responded by encouraging Mary’s constituents to participate in the Big Tree Plant Campaign, that was launched on the 2nd December 2010 across the country. The main aim is to encourage and support community groups to plant trees in neighbourhoods where people live and work. The hope is that at least one million trees can be planted in a mixture of street trees and small groups of trees in green spaces and in other neighbourhood tree planting. The campaign will run over four years, 2011 to 2015, and will give £4 million in grants.

Not for profit groups or organisations in England, such as charity and voluntary groups that represent the interests of the local community, are eligible to apply. Although local authorities cannot apply directly, projects that are in partnership with local authorities are welcome to apply.

Mary would like to encourage everyone to get involved in the campaign, so that we can help maintain this idyllic corner of West London. Further information is available on the website http://thebigtreeplant.direct.gov.uk/index.html and the initial deadline for submissions is on the 15th March 2011.