What fate for Maulden Woods?

Forestry Commission land for sale: comment by 21 April

Government's rural affairs department, Defra opened a consultation yesterday about the future ownership and management of the public forest estate in England – land managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A copy of the consultation document is available through the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/index.htm) and the Forestry Commission website (www.forestry.gov.uk/england-pfe-consultation)

It sets out the rationale for a move away from the Government owning and managing significant areas of woodlands in England and the principles which will guide the Government in deciding the way forward. The consultation proposes a mixed model approach to reforming the ownership and management of the public forest estate to create a far greater role for civil society, businesses and individuals.

They invite views on the mixed model approach, the criteria for deciding which parts of the estate fit within each model, the principles guiding each model, the safeguards for providing public benefits, and alternative approaches. They also invite views on the implications for the future role of the Forestry Commission in England.

Ministers have previously announced that a further 40,000 hectares would be sold over the four years period 2011/12 to 2014/15. The sales criteria for the 2011/12 period are also published now. More information on these sales can be found at:
www.forestry.gov.uk/england-woodlandsales

This consultation will be of interest to individuals, communities, businesses and others working or using the public forest estate. It will also be of interest to potential investors and the partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

It has been prepared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and will close on 21st April 2011 and includes:
* Consultation letter (PDF 120 KB)
* Consultation document (PDF 380 KB)
* List of consultees (PDF 30 KB)
* Map (PDF 2.7 MB, large file size)
* Impact Assessment (PDF 1 MB)
* Equality Impact Assessment (PDF 300 KB)
* Sales criteria (PDF 200 KB)

How to respond

Name: Public Forest Estate - Consultation co-ordinator

Address: Forestry Commission England, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1EJ

Email: publicconsultation@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

This is a joint Forestry Commission/Defra consultation and responses can either be submitted online or by post.

If you need this publication in an alternative format, for example in large print or in another language, please contact

The Diversity Team
Forestry Commission
Silvan House
231 Corstophine Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7AT

Telephone: 0131 314 6575
Email: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk