Ancient Trees: Protections

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Thursday 24th April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

The noble Lord makes some good points. The issue here is that Toby Carvery said that the tree needed to be felled because it was already dead and posed health and safety concerns. The matter was then referred to the police by Enfield Council, which was clearly concerned by what had happened, and to the Forestry Commission. The Metropolitan Police closed its inquiry because it said it was a civil matter; because of that, the Forestry Commission is now carrying out the investigation into exactly what happened and whether the tree was dead or not. It looks like a very heavily pollarded tree at the moment; the question of whether it is dead is for us to consider further.

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)]

My Lords, like the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler, I know this tree; it is quite near to where I live. As was pointed out by the noble Lord, Lord Blencathra, there appears to have been no criminality or even any serious criminal intent in this case, because there was a failure to understand the significance of this tree. So in what way can those significances be better publicised and made clear to people? Perhaps more importantly, given that trees are sometimes wrongly felled as part of an intention to clear a site—for a development, for example, when the sanctions are often regarded as a cost of doing business—are the sanctions against people who wilfully damage trees that are or should be protected strong enough to act as a deterrent?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

My noble friend makes some extremely good points. The new National Planning Policy Framework recognises ancient and veteran trees as irreplaceable habitats and makes it clear that any planning decisions should not result in their deterioration or loss, so it is good that we now have that in the NPPF. As I mentioned earlier, we are considering the report by the Tree Council in order to look at how we can improve protections for such trees, and I am sure that sanctions will be part of what we are considering. Ancient trees—because you cannot just plant another tree and recreate that habitat—need special attention.

Beaver: Reintroduction in England

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Thursday 27th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I can be very brief and clear: we intend to do full consultation with stakeholders and work closely with them around any introduction.

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)]

My Lords, may I take my noble friend back to her previous answer on the reintroduction of other wild species? I am very glad to find that she is a fellow fan of “The Archers”. She will be aware that there were recently some very serious illegal releases in Scotland, which resulted in not only the use of precious resources but the death of at least one of the animals. Can she say what sanctions are available to be brought to bear against people who do that? Whether their intentions are good or ill, they are not doing anybody any favours.

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I completely agree with my noble friend. The Government condemn any illegal release of beavers. They not only are unlawful but, as she said, can lead to damage and conflict, and they undermine legitimate releases. Just to confirm, it is an offence in England under Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release a beaver into an enclosure or the wild, except under the authority of a licence from Natural England. Regarding penalties, doing so without a licence carries a penalty of either an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison.

Storm Bert: National Preparedness

Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Thursday 28th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

Flood Re has been running for a number of years, and I am sure the noble Earl and other noble Lords are aware of the exceptions to what can be put forward to it—for example, multiple-occupation buildings. My understanding is that it is being reviewed, because it is available only up to a certain date and we have reached the stage where it will be looked at. The other issue is that businesses are not covered either. It is important that we continue to monitor and review its effectiveness, while also looking at how we support the people who are not supported by what is a very important insurance back-up.

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)]

My Lords, I will take my noble friend the Minister back to the question from our noble friend Lord Harris on paving in built-up areas. I hope I did not mishear her; I think she did not specifically say whether the new planning arrangements will address that issue, which is a very serious problem in high-density urban areas. It is usually to do with people wanting to park cars. Will the Government promote the use of porous materials, which will support the weight of vehicles but are much less damaging to the environment?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I do not want to pre-empt the outcomes of the National Planning Policy Framework, but some excellent porous materials are now available, and it is important that the Government encourage their usage where they are appropriate.