Defra said England's forests would not be sold off

The coalition Government has announced it has finally abandoned plans to sell off England’s public forests and woodland.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced today that a new independent body will be set up alongside the Forestry Commission to own and maintain the public forest estate.

The news spells the end of the Government’s disastrous plan to sell off the Forestry Commission, which prompted widespread protest and a half-million-signature petition against former Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman’s proposals.

The outcry led to the setting up of the Independent Panel on Forestry led by the Bishop of Liverpool. Defra’s response was published today.

A Defra spokesperson said: “The Government confirmed its support for the panel’s vision and has accepted many of its recommendations in full.

“The policy sets out an ambition to expand wooded areas, increase the amount of woodland being well managed, maintain and improve access to our public woodland and improve the economic performance of the forestry sector.”

Secretary of State Owen Paterson said: “I want to put the future of our public forests on a clear and firm footing.

“Our forests and woodland will remain secured in public ownership for the people who enjoy them, the businesses that depend on them and the wildlife that flourishes in them.

Owen Paterson: 'We all care passionately about our woodlands'. Photo: Defra

“A new, independent body will ensure our woods are held in trust and managed for the long term benefit of future generations, nature and the economy.

“We all care passionately about our woodlands, which is why I share the Independent Panel’s vision for the future of our forests.

“We have listened to views of woodland organisations, interest groups, businesses and the public and their ideas have also helped to shape this policy.

“Our woodland economy has the potential to create jobs and growth, and the action plan the forestry industry is establishing will set out a road map to achieve that.

“Most importantly of all, we need to look after this precious resource.”

The Ramblers welcomed today’s announcement. Chief executive Benedict Southworth said: “Today’s announcement means we can finally breathe a sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that our public woodlands will not be sold.

“However, the Ramblers’ campaign doesn’t end here. We will continue to work with government, local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that the aspiration of everyone being able to access local woodland becomes a reality.

“We urge local authorities to put plans in place to improve rights of way and access to woodland and set about implementing them so we can finally all enjoy a walk in the woods.”

Defra said tree health would be a priority after the Chalara ash dieback outbreak. A spokesperson said: “We have increased the Forestry Commission’s budget by £3.5m next year specifically to make up for lost income from sales of woodland and have also allocated them £2m to recognise additional pressures arising from Chalara and the importance of implementing the commitments in this response.”