To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what areas of (a) lowland dry acid grassland, (b) lowland raised bog and (c) lowland heathland have been (i) restored or (ii) re-created in England since the publication of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan; and what the targets under the England Biodiversity Strategy are for the restoration and expansion of these habitats by 2015. (216635)

Since the publication of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan,

(a) The Higher Level Scheme of Environmental Stewardship is funding the restoration or re-creation of 744 ha of lowland dry acid grassland.

(b) An estimated 3,500 ha of lowland raised bog is under restoration. It is not possible to re-create lowland raised bog except over very long time scales.

(c) An estimated 35,555 ha of lowland heathland has been restored and 6,244 ha has been re-created.

New estimates of progress, incorporating information from a range of sources and stakeholders, will be available in early 2009 following completion of the next triennial UK Biodiversity Action Plan reporting round.

The targets under the England Biodiversity Strategy for the restoration and expansion of these habitats from 2005 to 2015 are as follows.