Written question WQ85309

The Gwent Levels Working Group has developed a strategic action plan of its shared priorities. The action plan is a living document designed to plan and track the broad activities of the group, which is shared and discussed at each of its meetings.There are currently no plans to publish this document.

In my Written Statement on 1 July 2021, I outlined the key priorities identified by the group in this plan:

• Ensuring the work of the Living Levels Partnership Project could continue

• Developing additional planning guidance and evidence to help avoid further unacceptable biodiversity and landscape impacts on the Gwent levels

• Renewing and increasing the coverage of land management agreements, which are a key tool to enable land owners and managers to carry out important habitat management work to maintain and enhance the biodiversity features of SSSIs.