AQW 24779/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 21/10/2021
Answered On Date: 29/10/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance for an update on the woodland management plan for the Stormont Estate.

Answer:

In 2015, the Department commissioned the services of an arboricultural consultant to prepare a Woodland Management Plan for the Stormont Estate. This was presented in 2016 with the long term vision to “manage the woodlands sustainably to secure their long term future and enhance their landscape, biodiversity and recreational use.”

The recommendations in the report are divided into short term and long term work programmes:-

1. Short term – work programme for Year 1 to 5 (2016 – 2020)

2. Long term – work programme for Year 6 to 15 (2021 – 2031)

The short term work programme is nearing completion after a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A copy of the Woodland Management Plan 2016 has been placed in the Assembly Library.