Holywell Hospital to see 7,000 native trees planted in major seven-year green transformation

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff Estelle Smyth, Michael Patterson, and Derek Hamilton supporting Northern Trust colleagues on tree planting initiative

Holywell Hospital in Antrim is set to undergo a major environmental transformation under a new Northern Health and Social Care Trust scheme that will see 7,000 native trees planted across the site over the next seven years.

The large-scale planting programme, announced as part of the Trust’s wider sustainability strategy, will begin with 1,000 trees each year and is aimed at turning unused land at the hospital into a greener, more restorative environment for patients, visitors and staff.

The initiative marks one of the Trust’s most ambitious on-site biodiversity projects to date and forms a central part of its commitment to supporting the transition to net zero.

A seven-year commitment to greener healthcare

Under the plan, the Northern Trust will plant 1,000 native trees annually for the next seven years, creating a substantial new woodland landscape at the Holywell Hospital site.

The project has been made possible through support from sponsors and charitable partners, including Trees On The Land, which has supplied the trees and will also assist with the planting programme.

Trust officials say the long-term scheme is designed not only to improve the physical appearance of the site, but also to create a more welcoming and therapeutic setting for those using mental health and support services at Holywell.

The hospital site already includes mature natural spaces, and the latest project is intended to build on that environment by bringing currently unused land into active ecological use.

Alongside the tree planting, bird nesting boxes donated by BASC will be installed in nearby mature beech woodland, helping to further strengthen local wildlife habitats and biodiversity on the site.

Trust says project is key to net zero strategy

Northern Trust staff Paddy Graffin and Keith McCaughern planting at Holywell Hospital

Paddy Graffin, Director of Infrastructure at the Northern Trust, said the initiative sits at the heart of the organisation’s wider environmental ambitions.

“We know that trees have so many benefits, they’re good for people’s wellbeing and they are great for nature, and alongside our other biodiversity schemes, they form a key part of our broader sustainability strategy.

“As a Trust, we recognise that we have a significant role to play in ensuring we operate responsibly and preserve our planet for future generations. This includes improving energy and water efficiency in our buildings; switching to low-carbon forms of heat; replacing fossil fuel fleet vehicles with low or zero emission alternatives, and encouraging sustainable development through our supply chain.”

The comments underline the Trust’s broader sustainability programme, which extends beyond landscaping to include energy efficiency measures, lower-carbon heating systems and the gradual replacement of fleet vehicles with low or zero-emission alternatives.

Wellbeing benefits for patients and staff

Northern Trust’s Steven McMullan

The Trust has also placed strong emphasis on the wellbeing impact of the project, particularly given Holywell Hospital’s role as a key mental health facility in Northern Ireland.

Dr Petra Corr, Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services at the Trust, said the environmental improvements would directly benefit service users and staff.

“As a health service provider, we recognise that a healthy environment underpins healthy people.

“Planting these trees is not just an environmental milestone - it’s an investment in the wellbeing of our service users and staff. The planting will help transform the surroundings at Holywell Hospital and greatly enhance the site for everyone.”

The focus on therapeutic green space reflects growing recognition across healthcare settings of the link between natural environments, mental wellbeing and recovery.

By expanding woodland and enhancing biodiversity around the site, the Trust aims to create surroundings that support a calmer and more restorative atmosphere for those receiving care and those working there.

Building on existing biodiversity work

Northern Trust’s Bamber McKay

The latest scheme follows several years of environmental improvements across Northern Trust sites.

In recent years, the Trust has planted several hundred native trees and supported the development of natural wildflower meadows, creating greener spaces for patients, families and staff.

The Holywell initiative significantly scales up that work and is expected to leave a long-term environmental legacy.

Over the lifetime of the 7,000 trees, the Trust says the planting will:

• capture and store thousands of tonnes of carbon

• improve local air quality

• increase biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife

• benefit the wider ecosystem

• provide a lasting legacy for future generations

For the Antrim site, the project represents both a visible physical transformation and a long-term environmental investment, with benefits expected to continue for decades.

What happens next

Planting is expected to begin with the first 1,000 trees as part of the opening phase of the seven-year programme.

As the woodland develops, the site will gradually evolve into a larger natural green space, with additional wildlife measures such as nesting boxes supporting local species.

The project is set to become a flagship example of how healthcare estates across Northern Ireland are being adapted to support both climate goals and patient wellbeing.

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At a glance

• Northern Trust will plant 7,000 native trees at Holywell Hospital

• 1,000 trees will be planted each year for seven years

• Scheme forms part of the Trust’s net zero sustainability strategy

• Unused land at the site will be transformed into green space

• Trees supplied with support from Trees On The Land

• BASC has donated bird nesting boxes for nearby woodland

• Project aims to improve wellbeing for patients, visitors and staff

• Trees expected to store thousands of tonnes of carbon over their lifetime

• Scheme will also improve biodiversity and air quality