CELEBRITIES and leading local figures are backing a campaign to protest against the possible selling-off of publicly-owned forests in the Lake District.
Hundreds of people in the district - together with high profile public figures - have banded together urging the Government to think again about it’s possible proposal to privatise Forestry Commission land.
On Sunday a protest is being held in Grizedale Forest opposing the prospective plans- which were branded by Cumbrian-born Lord Bragg as ‘political vandalism’.
Hundreds of people are expected at the rally, which has been organised by newly-founded group Save Lakeland Forests. It will be headed up by Lord Clark of Windermere and Eric Robson who want locals to act now or risk losing the forests ‘forever’.
It is feared 39 forests would be affected, including Grizedale and Whinlatter, which bring in £20 million a year between them.
Lord Bragg, the writer and broadcaster, told The Gazette: “I have not as yet signed (a petition) but would do so like a shot. We need more of the Lake District in public hands. Not less. It is an outrageous attack on our Heritage. An act of political vandalism. And they must be stopped.”
In the past two weeks fear has been mounting that privatisation of the public estates by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) could curb public access and leave wildlife habitats unprotected.
Currently, the Forestry Commision has been told to sell-off 15 per cent of its land but a consultation is expected to be launched today (Thursday) by DEFRA, which will look into how to sell-off the remaining 85 per cent of the Forestry Commission estate - which is estimated to be worth £80 million in Cumbria and north Lancashire.
Lord Clark, former Chairman of the Forestry Commission and the chair of the All Party Group on Forestry in Parliament, said a new Public Bodies Bill - currently at the Committee Stage in the House of Lords - that will give the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman permission to transfer ownership of all the state-owned land.
Lord Clark said: “The response has been very encouraging and local people have been very supportive.If we don’t stand up now and show how much these wonderful green spaces mean to us we risk losing them forever.”
Eric Robson, chairman of Cumbria Tourism and the Wainwright Society, said: “Selling off the public forests in the Lake District would be a disaster for tourism. Whatever ministers try to tell us, they cannot guarantee the same level of public access to these forests if they are sold off or the same high standards of environmental protection. Trying to suggest otherwise is simply misleading.”
“We're being told that these sales will encourage a radical new approach to forestry management and will embrace the concept of localism. In fact, this is a sale being driven by Treasury policy aimed at maximising the returns from the Forestry Commission sale.
“The fear is that rules on access and environmental protection will be waived or, at best, lightly applied to encourage the private sector to offer the best price. This could lead to a return to mono-culture plantings and severely restricted access for groups such as walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.”
Satterthwaite resident Paul Townsend, founder of Save Lakeland Forests, said: “We’ve been delighted by the amount of support we’ve been getting. There have been many messages of support and offers to help the campaign. It shows just how much the Lake District’s forests and woodlands mean to people – not just those who live here but many people across the whole country.
“It’s important for people to come along and show their support on Sunday. It’ll be a great day out and a chance for us all to play our part in putting a stop to the Government’s plans to sell off our forests.”
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said he would also be supporting the cause. He said: “I am not convinced that the value which DEFRA will get out of the sale of the forest will be outweighed by the cost to the public in terms of biodiversity and public access.”
He also encouraged locals to sign the national petition organised by 38 degrees and Save England’s Forests - which has attracted signatories including Bill Bryson, Richard Briers, Annie Lennox and Dame Judi Dench.
The rally will take place on the meadow next to the main car park at Grizedale near Hawkshead at 1pm on Sunday, January 30.
Westmorland Gazette
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