Ministers plan huge sell-off of Britain's forests

Ministers are planning a massive sell-off of Britain's Government-owned forests as they seek to save billions of pounds to help cut the deficit, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.

Source

Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, is expected to announce plans within days to dispose of about half of the 748,000 hectares of woodland overseen by the Forestry Commission by 2020.

The controversial decision will pave the way for a huge expansion in the number of Center Parcs-style holiday villages, golf courses, adventure sites and commercial logging operations throughout Britain as land is sold to private companies.

Legislation which currently governs the treatment of "ancient forests" such as the Forest of Dean and Sherwood Forest is likely to be changed giving private firms the right to cut down trees.

Laws governing Britain's forests were included in the Magna Carta of 1215, and some date back even earlier.

Conservation groups last night called on ministers to ensure that the public could still enjoy the landscape after the disposal, which will see some woodland areas given to community groups or charitable organisations.

--- Golf courses, "holiday villages", and commercial logging.

Every man, woman and child in the country should be out opposing this sell-off.
I know, there will be assurances given about conservation, but this land will be sold off to "for profit" organisations who will want to make money off the land.
The taxpayer owns that land and should have the ultimate say in any sell-off. Of course, what we think doesn't count for much, but mass protests might help change some minds if the politicians supporting this see their own jobs on the line.
As I understanf it, this only applies to English forestries, not Scottish or welsh land. If so, it would also be interesting to see if any members of those assembles are voting on handing over english forestries to private ownership!

It is a sad day While the corruption and waste is allowed to flourish the indefensible lungs of the earth are eaten away by those entrusted to serve.

Hi there,

Sorry but this has already been posted....

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Cheers.

CX.