GeoData has led the technical team contributing evaluation and recommendations to the Forestry Commission on Evidence, Guidance and Tools. This multidisciplinary project was funded under Government’s ‘Project Speed’ to help improve the outcomes for woodland and trees, ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees in development.
Despite improved recognition of ancient woodlands in planning controls for development and nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) development still directly and indirectly impacts these important multi-functional habitats.
Working with Maploom, GeoData and its associates have:

• Assessed existing guidance, evidence and tools and worked closely with stakeholders to explore gaps and opportunities to enhance guidance and the roles that the FC plays in this process.
• Reviewed the impacts, best practice and lessons learned of dealing with woodland and trees within the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) planning regime under the Planning Inspectorate.
• Generated updated and new guidance on Mitigation and Compensation measures to recognise the multi-functional services that woodland and trees provide.
• Created prototype interactive geospatial web applications and new GIS data to support more efficient procedures for considering woodlands and trees in planning procedures for FC, authorities and developers.
• Developed a series of recommendations for FC and related agencies to help develop the interactive systems, data and improved procedures that will result in better consideration of trees and woodlands.

Client:   Forestry Commission

Location:  National