Tag Archives: Development

Natural capital in a state?

I may have mentioned this before but I am a geek and sometimes I think I fall into my deep green silo not realising that I have left most of the population behind! This thought was the result of questioning … Continue reading

Posted in England, Conservation, Policy, Biodiversity, Defra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Offsetting or sweeping under the carpet?

The final report of the Ecosystem Markets Task Force which was launched last week identified biodiversity offsetting as the first of its key recommendations. Biodiversity offsetting; securing net gain for nature through planning and development. Offsetting is not a recent … Continue reading

Posted in Biodiversity, Conservation, Mitigation, Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Thunk! on the glass ceiling

Oh dear. Once again, it’s ancient woodland protection that has a twinge of disappointment where other woodland and tree issues have won their part in the government’s response to the Independent Panel for Forests. There are indeed some great things … Continue reading

Posted in Forests Report, Planning, Protection, Woods Under Threat, WoodWatch | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

The Growth and Infrastructure Bill – What does it mean for the natural environment?

As part of its increasingly aggressive drive to achieve growth, the Coalition Government have introduced the Growth and Infrastructure Bill (G&I Bill) to Parliament. Slotted in to the gap left behind by the Lords Reform Bill, the G&I Bill feels … Continue reading

Posted in Planning, Policy, Protection, Woods Under Threat | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Natural Resources Wales – How does woodland fit in?

As the new Wales environmental body winds a tortuous way towards its launch next April its name has been confirmed: Natural Resources Wales / Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru. The membership of its Board has also been announced. What exactly are its duties … Continue reading

Posted in Conservation, Forestry management, Policy, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

WuT you like to know about Tree Preservation Orders?

Every week our Woods under Threat team gets a variety of questions about Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).  So in this post I will endeavour to answer some of the most frequently questions I’m asked. How does a TPO protect trees and woods? Our … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning, Protection, Woods Under Threat, WuT you like to | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

WuT you like to identify unmapped ancient woodland?

A common question that we get in the Woods under Threat Team is “how can you identify if a wood is ancient?” The Ancient Woodland Inventory was created in the 1980′s and it shows most ancient woodland that is over two … Continue reading

Posted in Ancient semi natural woodland, Climate Change, England, Local campaign, Northern Ireland, Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), Scotland, Wales, Woods Under Threat, WuT you like to | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

WuT you like an update?

I have just completed a bi-monthly update of our Woods under Threat cases, and with all my recent posts I thought you all might like to see a brief overview of the threats that vulnerable ancient woods are currently facing, or have fought off (sometimes … Continue reading

Posted in Ancient semi natural woodland, Ancient trees, Campaigning, Climate Change, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Woods Under Threat, WoodWatch, WuT you like to | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Deprived of nature

Sometimes people think that the Woodland Trust is just being dramatic when we say ‘Imagine a world without trees’. How totally preposterous! There are no places in the world like that… or are there? When I saw this stark image … Continue reading

Posted in Campaigning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Planning under attack

Budget week is always an exciting time as the public, politicians and media commentators speculate about, and reflect upon, a raft of announcements. Yesterday the Chancellor George Osborne offered a further attack on the planning system, highlighting its alleged role … Continue reading

Posted in Aviation, Planning, Government Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment