More than 200 trees have been pledged by Plymouth City Council, as part of a new proposal for in Aarmada Way, a redevelopment project that sparked public outrage earlier this year.

Back in March, over 100 trees were felled in the night as part of a £12.7m regeneration project for the site, causing a public outcry led by campaign group, STRAW (Save the Trees Armada Way).

The City Council has said 202 trees will now be planted in the north of Armada Way, between Royal Parade and North Cross.

The site originally had 153 trees prior to the felling, and 174 trees in the original, now scrapped design proposal.

The trees planted will be chosen for their sustainability in an urban landscape, with additional shrubs and wildflowers added to the revised proposal to support the council’s 20% biodiversity net gain goal.

Underground water storage tanks are a key feature of the proposal, creating a more constant source of nutrients for the trees,

Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, cabinet member for environment and climate change, says: “We want a modern-day city centre that is thriving environmentally as well as economically, with enhanced biodiversity, ample canopy cover and solar panels that will assist with our carbon neutral ambitions.”

Bug hotels and bird boxes will also be installed throughout the site, in addition to reed beds to provide natural filtration for the water being recirculated from the new drainage system.