HL Deb 16 January 2003 vol 643 cc54-5WA
Lord Fearn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether English Nature has any plans to carry out further environmental developments along the pinewoods of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council in 2003. [HL997]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)

English Nature currently has no plans for further environmental development along the pinewoods of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.

However, a full environmental impact assessment of the potential effects of any further removal of frontal woodlands on the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve (NNR) and candidate special area of conservation (cSAC) will be carried out, incorporating public consultation, in 2003.

Plans for any future environmental developments would be produced in the light of the environmental impact assessment which is due to be concluded by 31 August 2003, and then submitted to the Forestry Commission.