Penny Lane: cultivating communities in Stockport

Working on Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council land, City of Trees have planted a new woodland at Penny Lane, Stockport. Planting at this 1.53ha site in the heart of Stockport contributes to greening the town centre by bringing a new woodland to the doorsteps of thousands of people. Planted with a mix of native species, the site enhances biodiversity and provides residents with easy access to greenspaces, improving environmental quality in an area facing significant socio-economic challenges.

The site is next to the River Tame and so in the future will help to mitigate against potential flooding risks, in an area where flooding is a real threat. It also creates an extension to the nature reserve at Reddish Vale, boosting local biodiversity and locking up carbon from the nearby M60. And on top of all this, Penny Lane sits alongside the Trans Pennine Trail, an active travel way for walkers, cycling and horse riding.

Citizen Foresters planting trees at Penny Lane. Credit: City of Trees

Community action

The project has delivered real impact in terms of community engagement. The local community was heavily involved in the planting, from local schools and housing associations to people living in the nearby tower blocks. A community planting day on International Women’s Day and support from groups like the Rotary Club and Friends of Reddish Vale have all built a real sense of local pride and have created a strong foundation for long-term stewardship.

Corporate support

Alongside these volunteers, 40 members of Cheadle-based property lender Together spent two days planting over 400 trees on the site to kick off their partnership with City of Trees, donating £100,000 to support tree planting in Stockport and Greater Manchester.

The site also received high-profile media coverage when representatives from Manchester United Football Club and Spanish football team Real Betis visited the site as part of their media work promoting Real Betis’ environmental commitments.

Lasting impact

Penny Lane is a great example of how integrating community involvement and corporate support can lead to urban nature recovery and long-term ecological and social rewards.

Be part of the Northern Forest

Want to plant trees? Whether you’re creating new woodland or extending an existing site, you can reap a whole host of extra benefits.

• Boost biodiversity.
• Provide shelter.
• Protect your soil.
• Fight flooding.

Your new trees could be part of the Northern Forest and make a difference for people, wildlife and the environment in the North of England.