Tackling heat resilience in Worthing

The importance of trees in tackling heat resilience in Worthing has been raised, after trees in East Sussex were recently given a new set of ‘rights’.

Lewes Town Council formally adopted a Rights of Trees Charter on September 10, which recognises several rights for trees, hedgerows and woodlands in the area. The charter includes the right to live, flourish, access healthy soil and water and complete natural life cycles.

However, it is not legally binding and does not give the council new powers over the trees. Instead it sets out guidelines for decisions and representations.

Worthing councillor Natasha Davie (Green, Central ) said: “I’d like to see Worthing look seriously at this. What Lewes has done with their Tree Charter gives the council and campaigners a stronger basis to resist unnecessary felling and to push back on development that doesn’t take trees seriously”

Cllr Davie put forward a motion to Worthing’s full council in July, which called for an increase of tree cover in areas with the lowest levels of canopy.

The motion said only 5per cent of the area in Central ward was covered by tree canopy, compared to 8 per cent in the east of the borough, 10 per cent in Broadwater and 12 per cent in Goring

Cllr Davie said: “Our current tree planting target is 50 trees a year across both Adur and Worthing. This isn’t ambitious enough: over 90 per cent of our population live in areas with under 25  per cent green space – this is the lowest in the country, and should be a cause of huge concern.

“I’d like to see us set a much larger, area-focused tree target, prioritising the neighbourhoods with the lowest cover first. I’d also like to see us do more to protect existing mature trees, since a large tree provides far more cooling and canopy than years of new planting can replace.

“Trees provide shade and cooling in the areas that need it most, often the same areas with the least green space have the highest heat risk. Planting more trees is a no-brainer, and we should be doing a lot more of it.”

The motion also called for areas that have the greatest need to be prioritised using the Tree Equity Score UK system.

It was considered by the Joint Strategic Committee, which discussed it on September 8. The committee rejected it ‘reluctantly’ and referred it to the West Sussex Climate Change Board.

When asked what other changes she may wish to see in Worthing to better improve heat resilience and green spaces, Cllr Davie said: “We need things like public water fountains and heat risk assessments for new developments.

“We need a map of cool spaces to help vulnerable residents shelter, and protection for workers exposed to extreme heat. “

She also referenced the potential of an El Nino this winter which could bring heavy rainfall and put a strain on drainage systems. She added that ‘trees and green space help absorb that rainfall before it ever reaches the drains’.

When asked if she thought the council was doing enough to protect and increase green space in the town, she said: “No, I don’t think we are. The rejection of the heat resilience motion is the clearest example of that.

“These were practical, deliverable measures, entirely within the administration’s control, and they were turned down. “

A spokesperson for Worthing Borough Council said the authority was committed to protecting and enhancing green spaces and that they are continuing to plant trees across the town.

The council said its parks team has planted more than 150 community-sponsored trees through its partnership with Trees for Streets as well as thousands of young trees to replace those lost through ash dieback. 

It added that partners including Tree Action are working with the council’s parks team to plant more trees across the town and involve local communities. 

The spokesperson said: “Through our partnership with West Sussex County Council, we have also delivered greener public spaces at Montague Gardens and Portland Road, with new trees and planting that will become increasingly established over time.

“We are proud of the progress being made to make Worthing greener and more biodiverse, particularly given the significant financial pressures we are facing.”

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