Hello
all,
This special edition newsletter aims to bring you up to date with news and views about the government's plan to sell off Forestry Commission land. The New Forest has the second largest area of FC land, totalling 27,613 hectares and we all have a stake in its future. Some of the links below cite the New Forest as being vulnerable to the sell-off.
New Forest residents have asked us if they should be concerned about restrictions on recreational access should NF woodlands and enclosures by sold into private ownership. Could privately run car parks levy a charge or even be closed off to the public? Could horseriders, walkers, cyclists and ramblers be charged a fee to access these areas?
We cannot be sure of what may happen, but there is a fair amount of scaremongering in the media, which has led to all kinds of campaigns, petitions and lobbying to save FC land from being sold off. One thing we are sure about is that access within the New Forest is currently protected by the Law of Property Act 1925, as opposed to the CROW Act, 2000. See the New Forest National Park Authority publication "Tourism and Recreation - Access" : -
"CROW
Act, 2000
The
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) gave the public the right to
access, on foot, areas that were mapped as heath, moor, down or mountain, or
were registered commons. These areas are collectively known as access land. In
the New Forest, there is no land which is classified as moor, down or mountains. In addition, most of the areas of heath within
the
National
Park are located on the Crown Lands, which already had a right of access
granted by the Law of Property Act 1925. This meant that as the public already
had access rights to the Crown Lands, the CROW Act didn’t give the public any
additional access rights in these areas. Within the National Park, the Forestry
Commission has dedicated as access land all the woodland areas that it manages
which do not have access rights under the Law of Property Act 1925."
The
Sunday Times (16 January 2011, page 13 "Keep out; public barred as forests
sold off") states "Whitehall sources have made clear that in practice 'heritage'
woodlands such as the New Forest in Hampshire will be kept in public ownership
and only 'commercial' plantations will be sold".
There
are always two sides to a 'story' - in this case Government Vs speculation, and
we hope the following links will help give you a more balanced understanding of
the current situation.
LINKS
Defra letter to MPs
outlining its intention to fundamentally reform the public forestry estate
Defra “Myth Busters” Public forestry estate consultation – 18 January 2011
Go to our links
page to find archives of FC House of Commons information
Public
bodies bill – includes Forestry Commission
House of Commons – paid access for bridleways
Sell off of England’s forests could lead to Scottish job cuts – STV News 20 January 2011 [FC's HQ is in Edinburgh]
‘Unique’
Forest should be spared from sell-off – Salisbury Journal 18 January 2011
[New Forest Association]
Local
News: Save The New Forest – Save our Forests 15 January 2011
Warnings
over sale of woods backed by MP – Petersfield Post 21 January 2011
CAMPAIGNS, PETITIONS, BLOGS and FORUMS
Friends of the Lake District – campaign
“Song
of the Paddle” – a canoeing Forum – topic: FC sells public car park
Single
Track World – Mountain Bikers Fourm – topic: Forestry Sell-off
Land
Matters – 16 January 2011 Andy Wightman’s Blog
FOREST of DEAN
"Forest
of Dean Protesters Fight Off Big Woodland Sell-off"
"Forest
of Dean Rally Over Sell-off Fears"
"Forest
of Dean Delegation to meet Peers"
OTHER MEDIA ARTICLES
North York Moors
TV Report – play the clip
Bellamy
criticises forestry sell-off – Northern Echo 20 January 2011
Wainwright
fans say forest sell-off means return to ‘bad old days’ – Grough, 20 January
2011
Our
forests: Going, going, gone – Teesdale Mercury 20 January 2011
Forestry
Commission: Private ownership can be better say shooters - Shooting Times 19
January 2011
As ever,
One Voice will be actively seeking public consultation opportunities to ensure
your voices are heard. In the meantime, please let us know your views -
we're here to support you!
PS: Our Residents Online Survey for the NPAs
Governance Review will close on 30 January 2011 - please take part before it's
too late!
Best wishes
ONE VOICE
Tel: 01425 621889
Fax: 01425 620063