East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy 2005/06

5.28 Thus only partial information on this indicator
has been found and this is the first time these
comprehensive figures have been fully available.
Data Analysis
5.29 Although partial data has been found on the
overall increase in woodland in the East Midlands, a
significant development is undoubtedly the increase
in woodlands that form part of the National Forest.
The National Forest covers 200 square miles of
Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Initially
6% of the land in the area had been woodland. This
has now increased to around 16% with the planting
of over 6 million trees (www.nationalforest.org).
Policy Commentary
Results:
Significant Effects Indicator
Figure 5.4 - Landscape Character
Assessments in the East Midlands 2006
5.30 Over the last decade the rate of woodland
creation supported through grant has been between
500 and 850 hectares per annum.The figure for this
year is significant but falls well short of the rate
required to meet the target set out in the RSS of
65,000 ha by 2021.
5.31 2005 year saw the publication of the Regional
Forestry Framework for the East Midlands;
‘Space4trees’. This important publication seeks to
integrate forestry with wider socio, economic and
environmental objectives. It will guide the future
work of the Forestry Commission and its partners in
the region.
Policy 30: Priorities for the Management and
Enhancement of the Region’s Landscape
Development Plans, LDFs and other Strategies
should:
• Continue to promote the highest level of
landscape character protection
• Promote initiatives to protect and enhance the
natural and heritage landscape assets
• Be informed by Landscape Character Assessments
Target:
• % of region covered by Landscape Character
Assessments - 100% of rural areas
Indicator:
• % of region covered by Landscape Character
Assessments
Source: Natural England
© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.
East Midlands Regional Assembly, 100038615, 2006
Data Analysis
5.32 The information for this policy area has been
provided by Natural England who undertook a
survey in February/March 2006.This showed that 17
local authorities had a Landscape Character
Assessment (LCA) in place and that other local
authorities were at different stages of development,
with a number of studies underway. The Natural
England view is that Derbyshire Dales is partially
covered by a LCA, Leicestershire has a Landscape and
Woodland Strategy which does not give sufficient
LCA coverage to Districts, although some Districts
have done their own LCAs . Northamptonshire were
due to launch their LCA in November 2006;
Harborough and Hinckley & Bosworth were due to
have their LCAs completed in November 2006.
Information on Landscape Character Assessments
was also gathered via the monitoring questionnaires
sent to local authorities, which largely confirmed the
information from Natural England.
East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Annual Monitoring Report 2005/06
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