Mitigation planting case studies
Over 4,000 metres of hedging and 640 trees planted so far.
By collaborating with landowners across the programme area Mend the Gap has been able to plant over 4000m of hedging and 640 trees. Thank you to our partners at FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) for their work with landowners. create nearly 4 kilometres of new and improved habitat for our native wildlife. This habitat will provide not just a place for birds, mammals and invertebrates to live, but will act as a food larder and safe corridor for movement between different wild spaces.
Over the next 12 months all of the new trees we have planted will be monitored, as part of the programme’s commitment to ensuring they thrive. Failed whips will be replaced, and protective (biodegradable) guards renewed as necessary.
Here are some of the places that we have worked so far:
South Stoke
We began our mitigation planting in South Stoke parish in 2022, and planted 990m of hedge and 71 trees in 2022.
In 2025 we have revisited South Stoke and planted over 1000 metres of hedge along the main road. This will not only reduce the visual impact of the Gantries but will have the added benefits of reducing soil erosion, increasing habitat for natural pollinators and animals support the farmer. It will also become home to a range of animals and plants that have lost their place in this landscape.
Hedge on the road, to shield the railway gantries at South Stoke, near Reading
South Moreton
In 2024/25 we worked with landowners in South Moreton to infill some of the great planting they have already done and supported them to navigate around the Gas pipe, that does mean some views will be harder to mitigate against.
Gatehampton, Goring
At sites around Gatehampton, Goring around 750m of new hedging and over 40 standard trees have been planted.
The landowners have worked together to make sure the screening is connected, to provide optimum impact both visually and for wildlife.
Mend the Gap will continue the maintenance of the newly planted trees and hedgerow in this area in 2024.
In 2025 we revisited the Gatehampton area and supported landowners to plant more trees that will further screen the view of the Gantries from Hartslock Nature Reserve.
Sheepcote recreation ground
At Sheepcote recreation ground in Goring, owned by the parish council, some 200 metres of native hedgerow and several standard beech trees have been planted by the Mend the Gap programme.
This planting aims to break up the view of the Gantries, without blocking the views of the National Landscapes, from the well used public space.
Local residents are also being encouraged to get involved in taking care of them, straightening guards and watering until they are established.
Cholsey
In 2024 we began to work with Landowners in the Cholsey area, to explore how we can sensitively plant this landscape that currently has very few hedges. we have started with 200m of hedge near Cholsey and look to work with the landowners to explore other opportunities for hedge or tree planting next year.
Child Beale Trust
The Child Beale Trust owns an area of land around Lower Basildon that runs alongside the road and railway. Mend the Gap has supported them to infill and mitigate the impact of the gantries by restoring existing hedgerow.
The Child Beale trust agreed further planting in 2025 and 2026 and this will aim to continue to reduce the impact of the Gantries from both Hartslock Nature reserve and the Holies above Streatley.
Purley and Sulham Estate
In 2024/5 we have planted over 300 trees on two sites which have a significant impact on the views from both Purley and Pangbourne communities.
What next?
In the 2025/6 planting seasons the Mend the Gap programme we will continue to maintain the new planting from 2024 knocking back in the Autumn and replacing small plants (whips) that do not survive the summer. We are also planning for planting from Didcot to Cholsey and hope to revisit sites like Beale Park to address the iconic views across the Goring Gap, we would still like to hear from landowners in the area who could support our work to reduce the impact of the Gantries across this landscape.
If you own or manage land that you would like us to consider for mitigation planting please get in touch at mendthegap@chilterns.org.uk