Woodlands champion urges public to give views

THE OWNER of a historic country estate is asking people to give their views on the creation of new woodlands by taking part in the Government’s tree planting consultation.

Subject to review, the Government plans to publish its new England Tree Strategy before the end of the year and wants to hear from the public about how to increase tree planting and woodland management.

Plans for the strategy were announced following the Government’s widely publicised pledge in its manifesto to plant up to 30,000 hectares of trees per year across the UK by 2025.

Sir Edward Milbank, owner of Barningham Estate, near Barnard Castle, says it is important people have their say through the consultation. He has been involved in woodland creation schemes for many years, including on the 7,000 acre estate that his family own and manage on the northern edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

“The England Tree Strategy must be influenced by those of us who will be most affected, who live and work on the land,” he said. “Expanding and protecting woodlands is crucial. To understand nature, we must be involved with it: I would like to see a huge increase in urban and periurban planting where larger communities can benefit.”

There have already been a number of successful new woodland creation projects in Yorkshire and the North East, including in Elslack, near Skipton.

Comments can be submitted to Defra until next Friday.