HEARTWOOD FOREST PROJECT

Early day motion 1391, tabled 29 April 2009 by Lord Lilley (Conservative). Signed by 14 members.

That this House congratulates the Woodland Trust on its Heartwood Forest project in Hertfordshire where it plans to create England's largest new native woodland for the public to enjoy for free forever; notes the enormous potential of the project for engaging the public with the natural environment; acknowledges the benefits it will bring to wildlife through buffering four small remnants of ancient woodland, a habitat which now makes up only two per cent. of UK landcover; further notes that it will demonstrate the wider benefits of woodland creation in the UK, which is regrettably one of the least wooded countries in Europe, including public health and the adaptation of the natural environment to climate change; and urges the Government to accord greater priority to woodland creation in its forestry policy.

Signatures by party: Labour 7, Conservative 6, Liberal Democrat 1.