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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect ancient woodlands.

The Government is committed to securing stronger protection for our ancient woodland, as recognised in our manifesto commitments and our 25 Year Environment Plan.

The special status of ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees is reflected in the recently published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which strengthens protections, recognising their value and irreplaceable nature. The NPPF states that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists. The accompanying National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) will be published shortly.

Natural England are currently working with stakeholders, including the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust, to update the ancient woodlands inventory (AWI) in order to comprehensively locate these precious habitats. Further, planning authorities are required to consult the Natural England and Forestry Commission ‘standing advice’ on ancient woodland and veteran trees when determining planning applications that may affect such habitats.