Annex 1: How different measures to protect ancient woodland are working

Activities 

Local authorities considers PPW when deciding planning applications and preparing development plans

This is related to the activities in the following intervention measures:

• Planning Consolidation Bill and update of Tree Preservation Order (TPO) regulations
• advocacy work

Output

Biodiversity stepwise approach in PPW results in avoidance/ minimisation/mitigation ofimpact on ancient woodland. Loss only in very exceptional circumstances/ fully justified with compensatory planting.

These outputs are:

• deliverable immediately (revision already published)
• related to data collection for Woodlands for Wales indicators

Outcome

More ancient woodland and trees are protected from permanent loss.  

Activities 

Strengthening of local authorities’ ability to protect trees through planning legislation; clarity on when TPOs may be applied and how they are to be complied with.

This is related to the activities in the following intervention measures:

• Planning Policy Wales (PPW12): revised Feb 2024, strengthening protections for trees and woodland
• advocacy work 

Output

Local authority more effectively applies TPOs and planning protections to trees and ancient woodland* (M)

These outputs are:

• deliverable in the medium term (years 2 to 4)
• related to data collection for Woodlands for Wales indicators

Outcome

More ancient woodland and trees are protected from permanent loss. 

Activities 

Raise awareness of planning tools to practitioners and local authorities

This is related to the activities in the following intervention measures:

• Planning Policy Wales (PPW12): revised Feb 2024, strengthening protections for trees and woodland
• Planning Consolidation Bill and update of Tree Preservation Order (TPO) regulations
• Forestry Act 1967 amendments 

Output

Development proposals embed tree protection and biodiversity.

Outcome

More ancient woodland and trees are protected from permanent loss.

Activities 

Welsh Government embeds presumption to protect irreplaceable habitats in planning road infrastructure schemes. 

Output

Minimise loss of ancient woodlands due to road network schemes. Compensatory planting where unavoidable. Development proposals embed tree protection and biodiversity.

These outputs are:

• deliverable immediately (already published)
• related to data collection for Woodlands for Wales indicators

Outcome

More ancient woodland and trees are protected from permanent loss. 

Activities 

Environmental conditions added to felling licences protecting ancient woodland/veteran trees during felling. Unlimited fine for illegal felling.

Output

Ancient woodlands and veteran trees better protected during felling operations. Unlimited fine acts as deterrent reducing illegal felling.

These outputs are:

• deliverable immediately (already in force)
• related to data collection for Woodlands for Wales indicators

Outcome

More ancient woodland and trees are protected from permanent loss.

Activities 

Working with stakeholders to reduce ammonia pollution in line with statutory reduction obligations.

This is related to the activities in the following intervention measures:

• Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes)(Wales) Act 2024: air quality target setting
• Sustainable Farming Scheme

Output

Reduce overall agricultural ammonia pollution.

These outputs are:

• deliverable in the medium term (years 2 to 4) 

Outcome

Ancient woodlands and trees are protected from deterioration of conditions and resilience. 

Activities 

Duty on Ministers to set air quality targets. Develop initiatives to promote risk and ways to reduce /limit air pollution. 

This is related to the activities in the following intervention measures:

• reducing ammonia pollution as part of Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations 4 year review
• Sustainable Farming Scheme

Output

Improving air quality through setting and achieving air quality targets will reduce the harm to human health, nature and the environment. 

This output is :

• deliverable in the longer term (5 years onwards) 

Outcome

Ancient woodlands and trees are protected from deterioration of conditions and resilience.

Activities 

Payments to farmers to maintain/ retain woodland. Proposed optional action to manage and enhance farm woods. Proposed optional action to reduce ammonia pollution.

This is related to the activities in the following intervention measures:

• reducing ammonia pollution as part of Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations 2021 4 year review
• Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes)(Wales) Act 2024: air quality target setting

Output

Protection of ancient woodland through retention and maintenance. Air pollution mitigation through planting buffers improves condition. Improvement of condition/resilience through woodland management and reduction in ammonia pollution. 

This output is :

• deliverable in the medium term (years 2 to 4) 

Outcome

Ancient woodlands and trees are protected from deterioration of conditions and resilience. 

Activities 

Payments to woodland owners to restore Plantation on Ancient woodland Sites (PAWS) after felling due to Phytopthora ramorum disease.

Output

Gradual restoration of PAWS is encouraged.

Outcome

Ancient woodlands and trees are protected from deterioration of conditions and resilience. 

Activities 

Financial support and advice to improve existing woodlands with potential to become part of National Forest.

Output

Improved management and restoration of ancient woodland sites.

This output is:

• deliverable immediately (already available)
• related to data collection for Woodlands for Wales indicators

Outcome

Ancient woodlands and trees are protected from deterioration of conditions and resilience. 

Activities 

Financial support to improve  the condition, connectivity and  resilience of ancient woodlands where they are part of the protected sites network. 

Output

Improved management and resilience of ancient woodlands.

This output is:

• deliverable immediately (already available)
• related to data collection for Woodlands for Wales indicators

Outcome

Ancient woodlands and trees are protected from deterioration of conditions and resilience.

Activities 

Data capture of heritage trees and ancient woodland extent, and felling licence approvals for the management of ancient woodland.

Output

Provides baseline for monitoring the impact of policies over time, and an indication of likely improvement in condition of ancient woodland where actively managed. 

This output is:

• deliverable in the short term (next 12 months)  

Outcome

Ancient woodlands and trees are protected from deterioration of conditions and resilience.