Planning Minister Gavin Barwell has confirmed the Government’s commitment to ancient woodland in a response to Eastleigh MP Mims Davies during questions in the Commons Chamber.
In his response, the Minister first praised Mims’ passion for protecting ancient woodland within her constituency, before going on to confirm that proposals to increase protections for ancient woodland - which he described as a “precious resource inherited from previous generations and which cannot be easily replaced” – are included within the Governments White Paper.
Mims said:
“I am delighted to hear on record in the Commons Chamber this Governments commitment to protecting ancient woodland.”
“Many of my constituents have made contact on this subject, an issue upon which, as Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ancient Woodland & Veteran Trees, I take particularly seriously. As such, myself, and many, many others have raised concerns about the current plans that the Lib Dem controlled Eastleigh Borough Council has in store for our 400 year old ancient woodland locally.”
“Had Eastleigh Borough Council had in place a Local Plan, protections would have been tenfold, however, as we all know, this is not the case, leaving our green spaces – and woodland – vulnerable.”
Responding to the first part of the question on how current housing numbers for the Borough have been reached, Mr Barwell conveyed that the ‘New Standard Methodology’ – also proposed in the Governments White Paper - will give a much clearer indication of what the real level of housing need is within a local area.
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