Geoffrey Settle Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 The Forestry Commission owns 18 per cent of the woodland in England and was formed in 1919 mainly to provide trees for industry. The government is proposing to sell off land owned the Forestry Commission in an attempt to raise around ?470 million. They have pledged to sell 15 per cent of its land by 2015, and wants to sell the other 85 per cent, depending on the public consultation. It said: ?Robust measures will remain to preserve the public and environmental benefits of woods and forests, under any new ownership arrangements. ?Tree felling is controlled through the licensing system managed by the Forestry Commission and any proposal for development will continue to be subject to the planning regime.? Is this pulp fiction or a licence to print money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Sounds like root and branch privatisation to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 It depends on where you want the Gov. to spend their(our) money!!!. They are NOT selling the important bits, allegedly. That is an observer type question. Don't tell me Geoff that after all these years you are really observer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Leave him alone, he's trying! The sell off, or rather "lease off", will be, no doubt, to the highest bidder. SO, presumably that will be mainly logging companies. Why would a private buyer want to buy, IF he has to allow public access? As for the idea of community groups, friends of the forest or charities taking them on; with hundreds of volunteers from the "big society", giving up there spare time for nowt - not sure that's a runner? SO, even less reason "to fight for OUR Country", cos we'll own even less of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 The thing with leases though is that they can be overturned or bits amended at a later date if both parties agree. So they may get leased off and certain clauses will be put there's nothing to say that they wont be changed in the future. Did I just say the same thing twice then, I can't make my mind up Personally I don't think they should be sold/leased to a private organisation. What if they are turned into centre parks holiday type areas .... Oooh Is Delamere Forest on the list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 What if they are turned into centre parks holiday type areas .... Oooh Is Delamere Forest on the list They spoilt Delamere when they made it nice for townies, instead of just tracks in the wild. They even managed to wreck the Dingle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Forgot about "centre parks" Diz, yes, they seem a good candidate for buying up these areas, then charging you for the privilage of using them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 The Forests should not be sold off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Can you get your mates in Brussels to make that an edict?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Yes, If we give them more power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Seig Heil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Its only a load of trees..... plenty of them in Europe so we could have access to theirs under EU law surely!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Get Kije to get you a pass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevofaz25 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Its only a load of trees..... plenty of them in Europe so we could have access to theirs under EU law surely!! Hmm-= mate of mine lives in the Forest of Dean- a lot of villages and towns in the Forest and its having a big impact there as the whole community is threatened by this.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Unfortunately, in their rush to cuts, this Government can't see the wood for the trees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Agreed Obs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 The Woodland Trust have a petition here http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/campaigning/save-ancient-forests/Pages/fc-disposals-act-now.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Nice one. The Woodland Trust do a great work in and around Warrington, there are at least two on my doorstep which are great places to vist. I spend my time trying protecting places like Radley Plantation form mindless idiots idiots riding on motor bikes, ripping gates off their hinges to gain access, lighting fires, throw gates etc etc. I don't want to see another bunch destroying more of our heritage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 I don't want to see another bunch destroying more of our heritage. Geoff, being a part of the serial heritage destroyers that is Warrington Borough Council; you may wish to revisit that statement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Why please clarify? As Chair of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum I see it as a key role to protect my environment. As such I do not understand what you are saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 If Geoff hugs a tree, it would stop him falling over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Why please clarify? As Chair of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum I see it as a key role to protect my environment. As such I do not understand what you are saying. I am merely pointing out that it was a little surreal to see a Warrington Borough Councillor complaining about "another bunch destroying more of our heritage" when the council themselves have been responsible for destroying so much of the towns heritage..... buildings are as much a part of the countries heritage as a bunch of trees and yet this town seems to have no concept of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 ... not always "the Council", often "an accident" with a JCB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahl Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 well it seems that this governmebnt listens to public opinion (on some issues). Lets have more of what the people want and not what the civil servicants and political pressure groups want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I like many others used the link that Lt Kije highlighted above to let the government know about our feelings Hopefully there will be a full and proper announcement tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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