Written question asked by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 January 2026. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 98739 on Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park, on what date a decline in the condition of the park’s woodland and heathland habitats was first detected as part of Natural England's Site of Special Scientific Interest monitoring programme.

Answer: The woodland feature has been recorded as unfavourable since 2012, and was first identified as declining in the condition assessment published in March 2025. The heathland feature has been unfavourable since 2000, and was first identified as declining in September 2012. For both habitats, prior to their being recorded as unfavourable declining, they had previously been considered as unfavourable recovering. Unfavourable condition means that the habitat is not meeting its definition of favourable condition, and ‘recovering/declining’ indicates whether the management of on and off-site pressures will enable the habitat to become favourable.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 104141
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park
Thursday, 18 December 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Biodiversity Pollution Sutton Park
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk