Developers could be allowed to destroy ancient woodland if they agreed to plant many more trees elsewhere, the environment secretary has suggested.
Owen Paterson told the Times "biodiversity offsetting" could give "a better environment over the long term".
Critics have called such plans a licence "to trash nature".
The Department for the Environment stressed it was "extremely unlikely" planning permission would be granted on land covered by ancient woodland.
BBC: Owen Paterson backs ancient woodland 'offsetting'
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