Natural Environment

Reading Borough Council’s Parks Section is responsible for managing and maintaining Reading’s Parks and Open Spaces estates comprising of over 100 parks and playgrounds, including approximately 5 miles of riverside and 16 Local Wildlife Sites. The Council’s Tree Officer sits within the Parks Department.

The Natural Environment Team, located within the Planning Section, is responsible for dealing with all Tree Preservation Order issues, trees within Conservation Areas, High Hedges, trees/landscaping and ecology / biodiversity in relation to planning proposals. The Natural Environment Team is also involved in other tree related activities, such as working with Trees for Cities to secure new tree planting schemes and implementing the Council’s Tree Strategy.

Reading manages 20 woodlands, many are ancient and four of these are Local Nature Reserves. Within private ownership are many more important green areas providing tree coverage and valuable wildlife habitat, including historic sites such as the University of Reading, BBC Caversham Park and Leighton Park School.