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 his Department's consultation entitled Land Use in England published on 31 January 2025, what the process is for (a) designating and (b) creating new (i) national river walks and (b) national forests.

The Government is progressing plans to designate nine new National River Walks across England, one in each region, to enhance access to nature. This is a priority for us and we are currently considering several delivery options, as well as reviewing where existing river walks are in place. Further details will be provided in due course.

Defra is running a competitive two-stage process to select the first new national forest. This process is in the final stages and further details will be provided in due course. Alongside this competition we are considering plans for other national forests.