The image shows DEFRA Minister, Lord Gardiner and parliamentary under secretaries, together with representatives and speakers from the Tree Council, Landscape Institute Biosecurity Working Group; Forestry Commission, Alice Holt Research Station; Horticultural Trades Association; South Downs National Park Authority; Cowdray Park (Head Forester); and Dr Roger Smith representing and speaking for CPRE Sussex

I was asked to start the afternoon phase by providing the Minister with an overview of the importance of trees and woodland in the Sussex landscape and the existential threat to our trees posed by disease, which I did; for disease using data published by Forestry Commission and WSCC.

I also emphasised the need for computer-based modeling/simulation to predict and show visually how the county’s treescape and therefore landscape might change over time, how the impact of disease on trees could or would be exacerbated by climate change, and overall consequences for biodiversity.

I advised, too, that the impacts of exceedingly high-levels of development now in prospect on woodland and its biodiversity should also be considered and modeled.

I explained that there is an urgent need for effective regulations, underpinned in law, to protect ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees. I gave examples to reinforce the urgency of the need, including how, during the examination-in-public of Horsham District’s local plan, the examining Planning Inspector had advised the Council that there was no need for them to provide protection for ancient and veteran trees in plan policies.

Part way through the afternoon, he discussed with me issues that I had raised in my presentation. Encouragingly, he is an advocate for and supportive of trees in towns/cities.

Dr R F Smith

Trustee CPRE Sussex and Protect Sussex Group Chair