How it will protect ancient woodlands during the planning process.

Natural Heritage notes that planning authorities should seek to protect trees, groups of trees and areas of woodland where they have natural heritage value or contribute to the character or amenity of a particular locality. It recognises that ancient and semi-natural woodlands have the greatest value for nature conservation.
The Executive is committed to introducing secondary legislation in order to make the Forestry Commission a statutory consultee where development involves the felling of an area of trees covering more than 0.25 ha. This would apply to all woodlands including ancient woodlands.