Wednesday 11 March
2026, 14.30, Committee Room 8, House of Commons
On Wednesday, MPs will hold
a one-off evidence session exploring how the UK can better
protect its critical ancient woodlands.
Ancient woodlands are areas in England that have been
continuously wooded since 1600. These areas are rich in
biodiversity, being home to more threatened species than any
other habitat, according to the Woodland Trust, and the soils and
veteran trees they contain are important carbon stores.
In the 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) the Government
set several new targets on woodlands, including to improve
woodland biodiversity, commercial viability and to bring more
private funds into woodland creation and restoration.
MPs will explore the environmental benefits of these habitats,
the threats facing them, and how they can best be managed. They
will likely ask how Government policy can help to protect and
sustain ancient woodlands, such as through planning protections
and the new targets for woodland management in the revised EIP.
Witnesses
Panel one, from 14.30:
- Dr Keith Kirby, Visiting Researcher, Oxford University
- Katharine Flach, Biodiversity Data Officer, Thames Valley
Environmental Records Centre
- Nick Philips, Principal Policy Advocate for forestry,
Woodland Trust
Panel two, from 15.30:
- Andrew Weatherall, Fellow, Institute of Chartered Foresters
- Ian Tubby, Head of Forest Services Policy and Advice Team,
Forestry Commission
- Steve Knight, Confor
