Forests: Environment Protection
Commons · Question 126950 · Tabled 13 Apr 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Question
Asked by Vikki Slade
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of supporting the restoration of plantations on ancient woodland sites.
Answer
Answered by Mary Creagh, 16 Apr 2026
The Government has committed to restoring plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) back to semi-natural woodland habitat. There are approximately 365,000 hectares (ha) of ancient woodland in England of which approximately 150,000 ha are under plantati...