A PROPERTY firm has planted more than 300 trees along a popular Scarborough to Whitby footpath

The team of 16 from Savills York carried out the project on behalf of Scarborough Borough Council and the North York Moors National Park, who wanted to improve a local cycle and footpath between the two towns.

The team were taken to an area of scrub land adjacent to the popular Cinder Track, where they spent the day clearing the ground, digging holes, planting and securing trees.

The initiative was developed by Savills York as part of the international real estate advisor’s Time For the Environment campaign which encourages teams to spend a day away from the office doing something that will benefit the environment.

Stuart Jeffries, director in the minerals team at Savills York, said: “Yorkshire plays host to some of the most beautiful coastlines in Britain and we were keen to do our bit to help improve it further, both for local people and for the many visitors that embark upon the town each year.

“We didn’t expect to plant quite so many trees over the course of just a day so we hope it goes some way towards helping.”

Tim Burkinshaw, ecologist at Scarborough Borough Council on whose land the tree planting took place, said: “We were delighted to host the team from Savills and were impressed by their enthusiasm and the care with which they planted the trees.

“The tree planting site is a public open space in suburban Scarborough, adjoining the Cinder Track. This is a 21-mile permissive bridleway from Scarborough to Whitby along the old railway line.

“The council and its partners have ambitious plans to enhance the Cinder Track itself and its important function as a green corridor for wildlife and people, so we are really pleased with the day’s achievements.

“It was a real partnership affair and we are grateful to North York Moors National Park for providing tools and task leaders on the day, and Whitby Naturalists Club providing half the trees through their ‘Greening the Cinder Track’ tree planting grant from Betty’s of Harrogate. The remaining tree stock was provided by Scarborough Council.”

The group who took part on the day was made up of all teams based out of the Savills York office.