§ 26. Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many hectares of community forest have been promised to date by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [759]
§ Mr. ClappisonWe have approved the business plans for 12 community forests in England. The aims of the forests are to assist economic regeneration by landscape and amenity improvements, and to provide recreation opportunities on the edges of towns and cities. Individual planting targets vary, but the overall aim is to increase tree cover in each forest to around 30 per cent. over the next 30 to 50 years. Since 1991, 2,347 hectares of woodland has been planted and over 2,000 hectares of wildlife habitat created.