In November last year, the coalition Government announced it would sell half of England’s Forestry Commission land but provisions in the Public Bodies Bill currently passing through Parliament potentially mean the whole estate could be sold without further parliamentary scrutiny.

The proposal to sell off up to half of the Forestry Commission’s land in England is proving hugely controversial for the coalition Government, with more than 200,000 supporters of a Save the Forests petition signing up on the 38 Degrees website. In the past few days, numerous MPs have now spoken out against the Government plans and 87 well-known public figures, ranging from actors and artists to academics, say the decision to dispose of all England’s nationally owned forest is wrong.

Millions of people enjoy the recreational and environmental qualities that our English woodlands provide. Currently, all Forestry Commission-owned land is open access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) and this will continue if and when it is sold. However, the commission only owns the freehold to around 200,000 acres of land, the rest being leasehold. It is these areas of land that will be most vulnerable to potential change as access is only by permission and may not be guaranteed as part of a sale.

Although the Government has said that access provisions under CROW would continue for any privatised forests, these could also be challenged by new owners and there may be no legal obligation for owners to maintain footpaths and tracks, and car parks could be closed. The fear is that rules on access and environmental protection may be waived to encourage the private sector to offer the best price.

The BMC along with other leading recreational organisations are currently opposing those elements of the Public Bodies Bill which give Government wide ranging powers to alter the nature of bodies which hold land for public benefit and who do so in trust. In particular, we are seeking assurances that as a condition of any future sale of land, that public access is secured and protected for future generations.

The Public Bodies Bill and the sale of Forestry Commission land are currently gaining momentum in England. The issue in Scotland and Wales, on the future of Forestry Commission land and on other public assets, will be a matter for the devolved Assembly Governments, both of which have expressed concerns at the plans.

The current sell off plans have already prompted a mass demonstration in the ancient Forest of Dean and a further protest rally is planned in Grizedale forest, Lake District on Sunday 30th January.  More information on Save the Lake District's forests can also be found here.

This week the Government will begin consultation on the future of the 748,000 acre commission estate, but the likely outcome is perhaps already clear.

The BMC will be responding to the Government's consultation but in order to be more effective we would encourage all of our members to do four things.

(1) Respond to the Government consultation launched on 27 January 2011. The consulation is on the DEFRA website and the deadline for responses is 21 April 2011.

(2) Send your views directly to Cath@thebmc.co.uk Our access officer is in direct contact with members of the House of Lords as the Public Bodies Bill continues to be debated and will be making the national response to the forthcoming consultation.

(3) Alternatively contact your MP directly and raise your concerns.

(4) Join the 38 degrees campaign.
 

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