Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the MHCLG Chief Planner planning newsletter, of 5 March 2026, page 9-10, what steps are being taken to address the appeal delays for Forestry Commission appeals.

The Government inherited a backlog of appeals to restocking notices, some cases dating back to 2020. We are making progress to reduce the delays by a comprehensive action plan improving how appeals are progressed. This includes through enlarging the number of panel members who can hear appeals and increasing oversight including monthly ministerial meetings. We are also working to improve the awareness of the felling licence regime. This includes asking local authorities to work with developers to make it clear that unlawful tree felling can risk development being delayed.