A new Tree Champion
to drive forward planting rates and prevent the unnecessary felling of street
trees has been appointed by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.
Sir William Worsley,
current Chair of the National Forest Company, has been tasked with setting a
bold direction for the country’s forests and woodlands over the next 25 years
and supporting the Government’s manifesto commitments to plant 11 million trees,
plus a further one million in our towns and cities.
Alongside the
Government’s recently-launched
review into National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the
Champion will help to improve the environment for the next generation and make
the ambitions of our 25
Year Environment Plan a reality.
He will bring
together mayors, city leaders and other key players across local government to
prevent the unnecessary felling of street trees – alongside supporting the
introduction of a new duty for councils to properly consult with communities
before they cut down trees.
With a number of
grant schemes already in place to help landowners grow woodland cover, the Tree
Champion will support the development of a future scheme outside the EU – one
that encourages large-scale tree planting, reduces carbon and rewards landowners
for enhancing the environment.
As Chair of the
National Forest Company, Sir William Worsley currently oversees the successful
National Forest – which has transformed 200 square miles of industrial land in
the heart of England and now attracts over eight million visitors a year –
helping wildlife like otters, water voles and dragonflies to flourish.
Sir William Worsley
said: "Trees and woods are an important part of my life, as they are to
local communities. They transform our landscapes, improve our health and
wellbeing and help grow the economy.
"I look forward
to working with stakeholders and local authorities to promote these benefits
and grow the country’s woodland cover."
The appointment of a
Tree Champion is a key commitment of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.
The plan, launched in January this year, sets out how we will improve the
environment over a generation, including through growing woodland cover.
Since the launch of
this plan, Government has committed to providing almost £6 million to
kick-start the creation of an ambitious Northern
Forest along the M62 corridor. We want to see 50 million trees planted over
the next 25 years from Liverpool to Hull – boosting habitats for woodland birds
and bats and protecting iconic species like the red squirrel.
The Government has
also made it easier to apply for its woodland creation grant schemes, recently
approving two large-scale woodland creation projects. More than 600,000 trees
are being planted at Doddington
North Moor in Northumberland, while Lowther Park in the Lake District is
planting more than 200,000 trees thanks to government funding.
Sir William Worsley
will be appointed in the role for one year, and his responsibilities will
include:
- Promoting the Government’s
woodland creation schemes to landowners and other stakeholders and
encouraging the right trees to be planted in the right places.
- Driving forward the
Government’s manifesto commitment to plant 11 million trees.
- Working with Defra and
Forestry Commission on the design of future environmental land management
outside the EU.
- Identifying and promoting
best practice across local government to prevent the unnecessary felling
of street trees – supporting the introduction of a new duty for local
councils to consult before felling.
- Working across local
government to ensure ancient woodland is more strongly protected.
- Supporting the planting of
one million urban trees, and influencing decision-makers to generate ideas
and buy-in locally.
- Working with Defra’s Chief
Plant Health Officer to drive the protection of tree health across
England, raising awareness of the impact pests and diseases have on our
environment and economy.
