The Forest Of Marston Vale has been an incredible success with nearly 3 million trees, shrubs and hedgerows planted since the 1990s.
And now is the time to go further, and expand the forest as part of the Government's planned National Forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
It was a pleasure to speak in Parliament during a debate on woodland creation on the challenges Bedfordshire faces with nature and biodiversity, with increasing development pressures and growing populations.
So it’s vital that both our ancient woodlands and newly created forests are properly protected for the long term. I urged Ministers to strengthen protections, including considering greater safeguards for ancient woodland.
And as mentioned I once again made the case for expanding the Forest of Marston Vale southwards (from its current edge north of Ampthill) to cover the whole of Mid Bedfordshire.
I'm delighted that my constituency neighbours Chris Curtis MP and Alex Mayer MP both support this idea - by working cross-party we can create a lasting green legacy that future generations can enjoy.
