Landscape Maintenance and Associated Services - How To Contact Us
Update on Stony Stratford Landscaping Contract
We are delighted to welcome Millstream Estate Services as the new landscaping contractors to Stony Stratford Town Council with effect from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2023. Millstream Estate Services are very experienced landscaping and maintenance contractors. They have good local knowledge with a depot in Stoke Hammond. As with any landscaping contract there maybe a few ‘teething’ problems but please bear with us during the transition period.
If you experience any landscaping issues, please contact: email landscape@stonystratford.gov.uk or telephone 01908-566726 option 2 detailing: Location: incl. street names & description of the issue. There is an app/website you can use called What3Words which can assist with this.
If you would like to check if the area is part of the SSTC landscaping contract, please use the link https://mapping.milton-keynes.gov.uk/mymiltonkeynes.aspx, enter the postcode and tick Landscape – Maintained General.
Landscaping Contract Responsibility
In July 2013, all town and parish councils in the borough were approached by Milton Keynes Council with an offer to take over grass cutting, shrub and low level tree maintenance. After due consideration including a financial appraisal of the offer made, the Town Council decided that it would accept the offer as it felt that local control of these services would ensure that the present service would be improved and some areas of planting could be regenerated with the funds offered.
Millstream Estate Services have been awarded the current contract with Stony Stratford Town Council. This contract provides services on estates, our open spaces and play areas. The Parks Trust are still be responsible for the maintenance of their portfolio of land, notably around the riverside adjacent to grid roads and MKC will still be responsible for mowing of grass verges on grid roads and Queen Eleanor St.
Issues with trees: who to contact for help
The Town Council are responsible for tree maintenance such as lifting crowns and trimming epicormic growth (young branch growth around the base of trees). If the issue requires more specialist attention then Milton Keynes Council should be contacted. Please see this handy guide:
Issues with trees should be directed to either Stony Stratford Town Council or Milton Keynes Council, depending on the issue. Stony Stratford Town Council can address low hanging tree branches up to 5m high above a road, up to 2m high above a footpath and up to 3m above a redway or bridleway. Please email landscapes@stonystratford.gov.uk. Any issues above these heights should be referred to Milton Keynes Council. Similarly, dangerous or fallen trees should be referred to Milton Keynes Council. To report epicormic growth around the base of a tree in the parish, please email the Town Council: landscape@stonystratford.gov.uk or call 01908 566726 (option 2). Report issues to Milton Keynes Council by using the ‘Report it’ button on the MKC website homepage, or by ringing 01908 691691. Milton Keynes Council information about tree maintenance can be found here.
Hedgerows
Hedgerow maintenance is restricted by the law during nesting season. Therefore if a hedgerow is believed to be the home to nesting birds, we will be unable to carry out works until the birds have vacated.
How we manage our hedgerows
Landscape hedges were never designed to act as a security or privacy barrier but were planted to soften the built environment, or retained as former field boundary features pre-dating the development of Milton Keynes. Hedges are living, ever-changing organisms and consequently do not have the static qualities, such as those of a fence, required for security or privacy. Park and open space hedges are managed as part of Milton Keynes Councils' landscape asset and are cut on a cyclical basis.
For information on hedges and for advice on any issues you may have please refer to: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/landscape-maintenance/hedges
Reporting vegetation causing an obstruction
To report a tree, bush or other vegetation causing issue on a road, footway or redway please go to: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/landscape-maintenance/private-trees-shrubs-overhanging-the-highway. Under the Highways Act 1980, Milton Keynes Council can take action if any vegetation, trees or shrubs from a private property restricts pedestrians or is dangerous to vehicular traffic. Please also let Milton Keynes Council know if a branch or other vegetation is covering up a road sign.