Planning: Ancient Woodland Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Planning: Ancient Woodland

Lord Hylton Excerpts
Tuesday 13th March 2012

(12 years, 2 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl Attlee Portrait Earl Attlee
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My Lords, I am a classic impoverished Earl.

Lord Hylton Portrait Lord Hylton
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My Lords, in the present economic situation, would the Minister not agree that British woodlands and forests should be developed in the most commercial way possible while making allowances for ancient woodland? Does he also agree that such woodlands can be treated as quite small areas, rather like sites of special scientific interest?

Earl Attlee Portrait Earl Attlee
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My Lords, all noble Lords understand the environmental benefit of ancient woodland, but it has some commercial benefit as well. Interestingly, hardwood production in the UK amounts to half a million tonnes and total softwood production is 9.5 million tonnes.