§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with English Nature regarding the felling of pinewoods around Formby in Lancashire. [147482]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 26 January 2001]: My Department has not specifically discussed with English Nature its proposals to fell pinewoods on a nature reserve near pinewood. This is a nature reserve management issue for English Nature to take forward.
§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the report of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, regarding the felling of pinewoods around Formby in Lancashire; and if he will issue new guidance to English Nature regarding protection of the red squirrel habitats. [147483]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 26 January 2001]: The Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, on behalf on English Nature, has carried out a review and consultation considering the management of the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve. The review, commissioned by English Nature to inform its work managing the nature reserve, considered the overall objective of dune restoration in areas of existing frontal woodland to be appropriate and makes detailed recommendations.
It is not a report to Government and therefore I have no plans to assess the report. It is for English Nature, on the Government's behalf, to take this issue forward.
There are no plans at present for new guidance on protection of red squirrel habitats.
§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the felling of pinewoods in red squirrel habitats around Formby in Lancashire. [147481]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 26 January 2001]: I understand English Nature is reviewing the management of the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve and has commissioned a consultation exercise on its proposals to fell pinewoods within a nature reserve. However, my Department has not been able to trace any representations made specifically on this issue.