To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the size and location of any areas of East Londonderry which have been (a) designated; or (b) proposed for future woodland expansion as part of the Forests of Our Future programme; and (ii) the species of trees involved.

When I launched the Forests for Our Future Programme I wrote to Council Chief Executives and Ministerial colleagues, requesting their support to bring forward suitable public land for afforestation. Forest Service is working with public authorities, including in the East Londonderry area, in the preparation of afforestation plans. I am advised that at this stage almost 40 hectares has been identified as potential for new woodland creation in the area. Additionally 19 applications for 27 hectares of new native woodland have been approved for planting on privately owned land. In preparing and approving the plans, each woodland project is assessed for compliance with UK Forestry Standard and environmental regulations applying to designated areas.

The Forest Service’s Forest Expansion Scheme and the Small Woodland Grant Scheme will reopen in summer this year to support new planting in the winter of 2021/22. The Forest Expansion Scheme supports a wide range of species and woodland types including conifer, broadleaf and native trees. The Small Woodland Grant Scheme is designed to support new woodlands with native tree species. I would encourage land owners in East Londonderry with an interest in woodland creation to apply for these schemes.