[Mr Andrew Turner in the Chair] — Backbench Business — Protection of Ancient Woodland and Trees

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 2:55 pm on 10 December 2015.

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Photo of Richard Arkless Richard Arkless Scottish National Party, Dumfries and Galloway 2:55, 10 December 2015

Therein lies the difference in approach between the UK and Scotland. In the jurisdiction of Scotland, which prefers statutory certainty to convention and presumption, it is actually a series of conventions and presumptions that give planning authorities more tools to resist the felling of ancient woodlands. The Scottish Government produce planning guidance and a whole range of other documents. Does my hon. Friend agree—I say this in a spirit of cross-party co-operation—that even if the Government are not minded to confer statutory protection on ancient woodlands, there are a series of other techniques that could be used?