13 Jul 2026
Row upon row of mostly dead saplings and whips stretch into the distance at what should be the new country park created by rail freight depot developers SEGRO.
Hundreds of new trees have perished since they were planted over the winter, repeating the pattern of the previous year when exactly the same thing happened on the site.
Planning conditions for the scheme required SEGRO to commit to creating 600 acres of woodland and managed countryside, including 200 acres of new species-rich mixed woodland planting and 400 acres of conservation grazing.
The project also involves new areas of woodland including 4,288 standard trees and 132,057 whips, hedgerows and managed countryside, the enhancement of existing habitats and enhancements to the Ver Valley corridor, and creation of new ponds and wetland environments.
Last summer it was revealed that many of the whips that SEGRO had planted had died due to lack of water, and the company promised that any unsuccessful planting would be replaced in the winter as part of the ongoing maintenance of the site.
In September, SEGRO community liaison Mick Gilhooly said: “Our landscaping contractor is currently carrying out a perished count for the stock that was planted last season and once completed will advise if there were certain species that did better than others in the conditions provided. A certain percentage of stock loss is expected but in some planting zones it will be a combination of the soil conditions and one of the longest driest spring/summer periods on record.”
But flash-forwards to this summer and there appears to be a repeat of the previous year’s devastation, with few saplings or whips surviving.
Local resident Gary Broadbent visited the site prior to the recent heatwave and said he found little evidence of the promised winter replanting, estimating 70 per cent of the whips planted in some areas were dead, with the hot weather killing off the remainder a few weeks later when he returned.
He said: “The establishment of the ‘country park’ is a major part of the mitigation for having this development inflicted on us. It is also a planning appeal condition, and it seems one which SEGRO are largely ignoring so far.
“There is no way that the young saplings and whips can survive in the thin topsoil that covers the landfill on most of the site without watering. SEGRO have spent a considerable amount of money stocking the area with the saplings and whips, but this has been largely wasted as they have failed to maintain them. More winter replanting (if it actually happens) will be pointless without ongoing watering until the plants are established and we will be in a constant replanting loop, with nothing to show for it.
“The general condition of the ‘country park’ is also nothing like we were led to believe. Much of the area is becoming overgrown, with little evidence of any ongoing maintenance or improvement. SEGRO say they have appointed a contractor, but there is little evidence that they are actually doing anything, part from putting up a few signs. If they are neglecting their obligations this early in the project, it certainly does not fill the locals with any confidence that they will fulfil their obligations going forward.”
In a response to Gary’s concerns, the SEGRO Community Liaison Team said: “The country park, including the planting and maintenance matters are discussed at regular stakeholder meetings involving SEGRO representatives, landscape contractors, consultant support, councillors, resident representatives, environmental organisations, local parish representatives and relevant public bodies. These discussions sit alongside SEGRO’s internal reviews and project processes.
“Through these meetings, the planting failures have been acknowledged, together with the need for the future maintenance approach to remain under regular review, particularly in light of the weather experienced over the last two years and predicted future weather patterns.
“SEGRO recognises that the level of planting failures across the country park is significant and that further action is required to ensure the planting establishes properly. The ongoing maintenance approach will include a shorter planting window, a more robust maintenance regime, monitoring of establishment rates, replacement of vulnerable or poorly performing species where appropriate, review of species performance, and consideration of further climate resilience measures to reduce repeated failures.
“Last year was primarily focused on preparation and planting, while the current year is focused on replacement planting and maintenance. Weeding and watering of trees is being undertaken by the contractor as part of the maintenance regime, although this has presented challenges during prolonged dry periods.
“Lessons learned from year one included the need to shorten the planting season by approximately one month; following the exceptionally dry conditions experienced in March 2025. Local experience, supported by Met Office data, indicates that spring 2025 was the second driest spring in the last 25 years, with summer 2025 also among the driest in the same period. This change is intended to reduce the risk of newly planted trees and whips being exposed to early dry spells before they have had time to establish.
“The yew trees suffered disproportionately and were substituted with alternative species from the approved native forestry mix that have performed better and are appropriate to the setting. Failed planting will continue to be reviewed through the landscape maintenance and replacement process, with replacement planting undertaken during the appropriate planting season and in line with the approved scheme.
“Aquatic and marginal planting is currently due for replacement in November 2026.
“SEGRO understands residents’ frustration where planting has failed. It remains committed to delivering the country park in accordance with the approved scheme and to keeping planting, maintenance and replacement measures under review as the country park establishes.”
In response to SEGRO’s comments, Gary said: “This is pretty much the same response I received last year when I asked SEGRO what they intended to do about the high failure rate and lack of ongoing maintenance. They seem to be paying lip service to the planning appeal conditions, without much in the way of commitment to actually comply with their obligations. I have sent copies of all of my email correspondence to the Planning Enforcement Department at SADC, but to date, I haven’t even had the courtesy of a reply, so it seems they will be of little help in enforcing the planning conditions.
“SEGRO hasn’t committed to replacing the failed saplings and whips with larger specimens to make up for the loss of growth, and given what has happened so far, I suspect we’ll never see the promised ‘country park’, at least not in my lifetime.”
