The campaign against the forest sell-off gained widespread support
A panel set up by the coalition Government to look into the future of England’s forests will visit three sites to hear users’ views.
The Ramblers welcomed the news that the Independent Panel on Forestry will also canvass the public’s views on use of the country’s woodlands.
The panel, chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, said the first three visits would be to the Forest of Dean, Northumberland and Kent woodland. The Northumberland visit would include Kielder, it said.
Details of how to submit views to the panel are on the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website.
The Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, said: “There is no doubt that people care deeply about the forests and their future.
“This subject has touched a nerve with the public and part of the panel’s work is to understand why. I therefore urge you to use this opportunity and share your thoughts, ideas and feelings with us. It is crucial that we listen to everyone to whom this matters because ultimately this is a conversation that should involve us all.”
The forest visits will take place in June, July and September.
Justin Cooke, Ramblers’ senior policy officer, said: “We are very pleased that the panel will finally be getting out and about and visiting woods and that the public will be able to directly tell the panel members their hope and fears for the future of woodlands and forests in England.
“We ask that walkers and the public in the wonderful Forest of Dean, as well as those in Kent and Northumberland, be given the time and space to talk to panel members.
“Understanding the way the public use their local woodland and empathising with their passion, will be key to the panel giving the right advice to Government.”
The panel was set up in the wake of a huge outcry at the Government’s plans to sell off England’s publicly owned forest and woodland.
Half a million people signed an online 38 Degrees petition against the sell-off.
Outdoor enthusiasts’ groups have also formed the Forest Access User Group to put pressure on the Westminster administration to maintain access for outdoor recreation and activities in England’s forests.
The group includes the Ramblers, British Horse Society, British Mountaineering Council, Open Spaces Society, Sport and Recreation Alliance, cycling groups the CTC and IMBA, British Orienteering and the Kennel Club.
Ramblers chief executive Tom Franklin is a member of the independent panel.
