Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Publish summary of analysis underpinning the 'presumption to plant' system for transparency.
Recommendation
For transparency, we recommend that the Forestry Commission publish a summary of the analysis underpinning the ‘presumption to plant’ system when details of how the system will work are announced. (Paragraph 97) 78 Seeing the wood for the trees: the contribution of the forestry and timber sectors to biodiversity and net zero goals Sustainable timber production
Government Response Summary
The government has already published an initial report detailing the datasets used for the 'presumption to plant' maps and plans to publish updated maps and a short report in autumn 2023, outlining their use for regulating forestry proposals.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Forestry Commission has published maps showing parts of England where there are likely to be fewer constraints to woodland creation together with a short report that provides details of the data sets used to construct the maps.1 The Forestry Commission are working with Natural England to further develop these maps with additional datasets indicating potential sensitivities to planting. We plan to publish these updated maps in autumn 2023, along with a short report that sets out how they can be used to support the regulation of forestry proposals. This work will be promoted at forestry and farming events. Even in ‘high opportunity’ areas where few constraints exist, some site-specific features, such historic environment artifacts, may be present and a proportionate site assessment will be needed where owners want to plant trees or create woodlands. It is worth noting that much of the land outside these areas will also be suitable for planting although the constraints are likely to be higher. UKFS compliance checking is currently limited to grant applications (and any subsequent monitoring of the grant agreement) and assessment of felling license applications. We are considering what additional resource would be needed for greater woodland management oversight.