Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 63
Forestry England significantly behind woodland planting targets since 2021
Conclusion
Forestry England has planted only 303 hectares against its target of 2,000 hectares of new planting between 2021 and 2026. Despite pursing leasehold partnership arrangements, in recent years Forestry England has planted virtually no new woodlands on leasehold land.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the observation, stating Forestry England is confident of meeting its 2,000-hectare target and has planted 189 hectares on leasehold land, with another 267 hectares expected by 2026/27, further extending its partnership offer to purchase freehold land.
Paragraph Reference:
63
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Forestry England are confident that their woodland creation target will be met or exceeded. Forestry England have planted all suitable land available on their estate and are finding ways to lease or buy more land suitable for woodland creation. The Forestry England Woodland Partnership, which enables Forestry England to lease land for woodland creation, launched in March 2021. The process of engaging landowners, negotiating lease teams, and planning and designing new woodlands typically takes 12–18 months, so there has only been one planting season in which Forestry England could create new woodlands on leasehold land. They have planted 189 hectares of new woodland on leasehold land to date and expect to plant another 267 hectares by 2026/27. In addition, we have recently extended the Woodland Partnership offer to enable Forestry England to purchase freehold land for woodland creation. They have already exceeded their acquisition targets for 2023/24 and recently completed on the sale of a 220-hectare site for woodland creation. Forestry England currently have a further 138 hectares of sites under offer.