A major project to plant a tree for every single resident in Buckinghamshire is set to go ahead.

It means around 543,000 trees will be planted on large sites of council-owned land over the next 10 years in a bid to address climate change.

Once completed, the project has the potential to create at least 200 hectares of new woodland - the equivalent of 285 full sized football pitches.

The ambitious project is part of Buckinghamshire Council's climate change strategy, which would see the council becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

ALSO READ: Covid-19 in Bucks - all the areas where coronavirus cases are going down

Bill Chapple OBE, the cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “I’m delighted that Cabinet has given their full backing to this fantastic programme.

"We’re committed to tackling climate change issues and improving air quality in Buckinghamshire and these trees will play a crucial role in offsetting our emissions, as well as all the other benefits they will deliver.

“Trees enhance our environments, they provide biodiversity benefits not only by providing food and water but also giving our birds, bats, mammals, insects, fungi and butterflies homes, playgrounds, and hiding spots from predators.

ALSO READ: White Horse High Wycombe strip club could be demolished and turned into block of flats

"These new woodland areas will create more space for nature to grow and thrive and will improve public health and wellbeing.

“As the project progresses we will look at how we can involve our communities and schools so that we can all work together on community tree planting, and play our part in making Bucks greener and cleaner for generations to come.”

The sites of these new trees have not yet been finalised, but once they are, detailed plans will help make sure the right tree is planted in the right place.

ALSO READ: Inspectors find blood stains on wall of mental health hospital ward

The project will be funded with grants to offset the cost of buying and planting the trees and the woodlands will be designed in accordance with the Woodland Carbon Code to provide assurance on the levels of carbon being captured.

The council will still be planting trees this season, but around 75 per cent of the planting will take place over the next five years starting in the next planting season, December 2021 to March 2022.