James Cooper

Well done @DefraGovUK on launch of first Land Use Framework for England - product of years of hard work. The LUF encourages more trees on farms - helping farmers to adapt to a changing climate while producing food. Also key step towards targeting inequality of urban tree deserts.

@PictureSporting Many happy memories and I try to get there most years. Not the best angle of the ground though...

A picture from the Scarborough Festival match between Yorkshire and MCC, September 12th 1968. Until the 1970s the season ended with festival matches, usually just after the Championship concluded, but their importance declined with the advent of domestic one-day competitions

🔴 Sir Winston’s grandson says felling of oak is ‘wicked’ after residents lose three-year battle to save it Read the full story below 🖇️ telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/1…

My column in today's @thetimes 👇 thetimes.com/comment/column…

Biodiversity Net Gain is one of the key mechanisms through which the Environment Act is currently being delivered in practice. Lawyers have raised concerns about how any regressive changes to BNG would sit alongside: 🌿 statutory nature targets 🌿 international biodiversity commitments 🌿 and principles of lawful consultation Legal certainty matters – not just for nature, but for everyone relying on the framework to plan, invest, and deliver.

WCL CEO Richard Benwell on #BBCPoliticsLive today: “You can increase habitat, benefits for people, and get development working under the current law.” Our message is clear: nature and good planning go hand-in-hand The Government must remember that our most important infrastructure is our natural infrastructure protecting us from floods and fires. Weakening environmental rules – as proposed in the Fingleton Review – is not the answer. Watch here from 11:36: bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/b…

Nature is not the blocker to 1.5 million homes, instead it’s a necessity for building resilient towns and neighbourhoods. Read our new report on environmental sustainability and housing growth ⬇️ publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmse…

A few years since last at Twickenham and a good one to come back to! Cracking comeback by England and outstanding performance from George Ford #EngvNZ

🌿 Mayor Paul Bristow visited Aversley Wood to share progress on our Local Nature Recovery Strategy: ✅ More biodiversity ✅ Connected wild spaces ✅ Nature-friendly land use 📄 Full story: orlo.uk/0c5am

Good to see the announcement of a new National Forest linking in with the growth agenda. It will greatly enhance quality of life in that area. But what a missed opportunity to show leadership on the UK's rainforests -a source of national pride #COP30 bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Amendment 130 has passed in the House of Lords 🎉 The Lords have voted decisively that the Government's new approach on planning - Environmental Delivery Plans - must only apply to water and air issues. Their message is clear: planning reform must not put vulnerable species and habitats in the firing line. The Government must now show how its proposals will avoid harm to protected wildlife and irreplaceable habitats, accurately assess impacts on nature, and ensure that conservation actions deliver real improvements for nature. Read more about why this vote matters: wcl.org.uk/evidence-black…

Some thoughts from me in @Telegraph yesterday on the Planning and the Infrastructure Bill. With regard to ancient woodland generally and to development on the Public Forest Estate

As the Planning Bill heads into its final stages we need far more binding commitments to protection of irreplaceable habitats. Without them the promised win-win for the economy and nature will look more hollow than ever. Please write to your MP. Link here campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk/page/169676/ac…

Great to see Hull featuring in this new list from @NatGeo nationalgeographic.com/travel/article…

Grew up watching @hullkrofficial but haven't lived in the area for many years. Had to be there for today though. So so proud. The club's relationship with the local community is a masterclass for any other sports club #UpTheRobins x.com/hullkrofficial…

Great to see this campaign from @thetimes. It's so important we #GetBritainReading thetimes.com/article/43282b…

As part of the Woodland Trust’s photo exhibition at the Countdown to COP30, @campbellclaret goes behind the scenes at @NHM_London to reveal - and explain - his favourite tree. 🌲 Spoiler: it’s in Scotland.

Not for 1st time Tree of the Day = Skipinnish Oak. Part of pre-COP Woodland Trust exhibition launched this evening by King Charles and Prince William. Sadly couldn’t be there as was doing an event for ⁦@bloodcancer_uk⁩ pic 4 Paul with reminder of drugs that saved his life

By vowing to repeal the Climate Change Act Kemi Badenoch has fundamentally misread public opinion on net zero. She also risks confirming voters' worst prejudices about politicians. The public want promises delivered, not ditched. Me in The Spectator. spectator.co.uk/article/badeno…