I entirely agree with you. In addition to new native woodlands I would also like some new commercial plantings, these will compensate for the loss of production from those PAWS sites that are restored. Draft 3 of the woodland strategy committed to no loss of production, quite a challenge when we are losing forestry land to windfarms, development and deforestation for open habitats. In terms of PAWS restoration I would welcome a similar approach to the one you have taken at Wentwood for other PAWS restoration work. Some of these sites are excellent for timber and I feel it is a shame to restore them and no longer produce the timber we desperately need. Timber made into a durable product stores carbon for the lifetime of the product. Timber can be used instead of plastic (generally made from oil (though I did see a plastic spoon the other day made out of potato starch!)), cement and aluminium for example which require vast quantities of carbon emitting energy in their manufacture. Finally I would also like to see farm woodlands being managed and this includes doing something about the grey squirrel and deer. Both of which taste delicious by the way (the only meat I eat as it is truly free range and probably quite organic).

I look forward to working with you again soon, in the meantime Merry Christmas!