Written question asked by Lord Fearn (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Monday, 20 April 2009.

Trees

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Natural England has any further plans to remove trees from the Formby coast.

Answer: Natural England is a member of the Sefton Coast Partnership which has recently approved the Sefton Coast Nature Conservation Strategy. The strategy has a set of principles which will inform future management of the coast. There is specific mention of fragmentation as an issue for the Sefton coast and the remedy for this will include some tree removal. Early in 2008, Natural England released a statement of how it will proceed with future management of tree cover, though no current plans exist for this work. When Natural England begins to develop ideas for the future management, it will consult the public and other stakeholders and ensure its plans conform with the above strategy, as well as to the Sefton Coast Woodlands Forest Plan; a 20-year plan to diversify the habitat within the area.

Secondary information