Comments on: NEWS

By: Annie Devonport

Annie Devonport — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:50:31 +0000

Once again Conservatives are trying to see off our heritage to private concerns. In the case of the forests there are potentially catestrophic consequences as preservation of ecosystems gives way to financial interests.

We all understand that the country is in financial difficulties but the level of savings will be insignificant and likely to be swallowed up by the costs of the sell off process.

Please please leave our forests in public ownership for all to enjoy.

By: David Lennox

David Lennox — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:46:34 +0000

Far too much of Britain’s commercial, built and territiorial heritage has been sold off over the past thirty years and is now in the hands of faceless investment groups. Most of these seem to be foreign based with directors whose only interest is in making maximum profits with no concern for the interests of British people. Recent generations of almost every British family had members who fought and died in two ruinous wars believing their sacrifice would keep Britain free from foreign control. What has happened to the proceeds from the sale of our family silver? British tax-payers are still faced with paying off a massive national debt. The Forestry Commission costs us £15 million per year – a flea-bite in comparison and an investment most of us would gladly make to protect future access to our countryside by everyone and not just the priviledged.

By: Diana savill

Diana savill — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:06:22 +0000

Fantastic Campaign! Thank you. This must not happen. I will help all I can.

By: Janet Gill

Janet Gill — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:53:53 +0000

As a member of The Woodland Trust&The National Trust I strongly deplore the coalition government`s
intention to sell off or otherwise dispose of all publicly owned English forests.As a tax payer I insist this
proposition be withdrawn and that all Forestry commission land must be maintained by the public purse.

By: Mel Rhoades

Mel Rhoades — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:48:30 +0000

The forests and woods of the UK should not be sold off to the highest private bidder, they must continue to be managed by the Forestry Commission, if Private owners could make a profit from managing these resources, then so can the Forestry Commission.

By: Holly Russell

Holly Russell — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 23:10:14 +0000

The forests are part of England’s heritage. They are public land and not the Treasury’s or DEFRA’s to sell. If sold or leased, the forests will fall into the hands of the unscrupulous – within 10 years ancient woodland trees will be felled ostensibly to pay for ‘maintenance’, wildlife will be decimated, building development will start and OUR forests will be gone.

Have these people in government never been to a beech wood on an early spring morning and wondered the lime green light, wandered through the trees amongst spring or summer flowers, seen the intriguing signs of wildlife homes and runs, seen ice and snow clothing bare branches, seen beautiful fungi growing on decaying timber – or are cities and money the only lands they live in.

By: wildelycreative

wildelycreative — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:36:20 +0000

Have phoned DEFRA and Emma Lynch said I was not allowed to be put through to Caroline Spelman as “the issue is now in consultation”.

By: Bob Jolliffe

Bob Jolliffe — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:36:08 +0000

Please send me all your news emails pertaining to the forestry sell-off. Of particular interest to me is the New Forest where I work as a news reorter for the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
Thanks in advance,
Bob Jolliffe 01590 613803 (Lymington, New Forest office)