Dear Constituents,
Thank you to all those who contacted me about the re-examination of the ownership of the Public Forest Estate and can I start by saying how much I appreciate your interest in this issue.
I would firstly like to assure you of my dedication to the preservation and maintained public access to the Wyre Forest and, indeed, forests around England. I believe the Wyre Forest to be a precious, beautiful and significant local asset. This is why I am currently working with Philip Dunne, Member of Parliament for Ludlow, to secure a permanent future for it for the benefit of all in Wyre Forest and the West Midlands.
Can I, however, raise an important issue? We are just at the beginning of a 12 week consultation process and I am very keen that we maximise the opportunity this presents to have a clear headed and well informed debate on the issues surrounding the Forestry Commission. It is only after the consultation period has closed will the government make any definitive recommendations and only then will Parliament vote on any actual changes. If you have a view, please do not hesitate to take part. The document can be found at publicconsultation@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
You are also no doubt aware that the previous administration also planned to open the forest estate up to private investors. What's more, they sold off 25,000 acres of woodland without any of the comprehensive protections for public access we are introducing. They did buy back a proportion of that in other areas of England, but what good is that to the people who were living on the edge of the 25,000 acres that was originally sold?
The outcome that I am seeking from this is one of certainty. The truth is that the future of our forests is uncertain under the current arrangements. Even if the status quo is maintained, future governments may well attempt to do what the previous government has done - sell off our national asset.
I agree with the Government when it says it is right to consider who is best placed to own and manage our forests and what role there can be for government, communities, charitable trusts and the private sector. It is also right to end the irresponsible practice of selling woodland without adequate protections which took place under the previous Government.
I am extremely pleased that the Government has made clear that, without exception, rights of public access will be guaranteed, heritage forests protected, communities put first and biodiversity preserved. No other approach would be desirable or acceptable.
If I may, I would like to just look into these details more closely.
Rights of access guaranteed. Under the Government's proposals, woodland may be leased to private investors, but not sold. All leaseholds will include strict rules on protecting public access. Existing limits on access to state-owned woodland where tree-felling is being carried out will remain in place on public safety grounds. But all access rights will be preserved where no timber production is taking place. Any company or other organisation which buys a lease but breaks its terms will have control of land seized back by the state.
Heritage forests protected. The Government has guaranteed that heritage forests - such as the Forest of Dean and the New Forest - will stay out of the private sector. Only charitable trusts will be allowed to take on ownership or management of the heritage forests. An amendment to the Public Bodies Bill will enshrine in law the principle that heritage forests remain outside of the private sector.
Communities put first. Communities will have the first right of refusal on any woodland of particular local importance. If communities wish to come together to take ownership of local areas of woodland, the government is saying they should be given the chance to do so.
Biodiversity preserved. No site will be sold where more than 10 per cent of land is classified as Planted Ancient Woodlands (PAWs). The Forestry Commission will regulate tree-felling as it does now. The Plant Health Act, which sets out a legal framework for the control of pests and diseases of forest trees and timber, will remain in place. The Wildlife and Countryside Act and Sites of Special Scientific Interest will continue to protect biodiversity.
It is clear that this is not an unthinking sell-off. It is an open-minded look at how we can best secure the future of our forest estate. The government is asking people if they want to take a greater role.
I hope this has allayed some of your fears and I look forward to remaining in touch over the coming weeks with regards to this issue.
Best wishes,
Mark