Issued: 2011-01-27
Consultation start: 2011-01-27
Consultation end: 2011-04-21
Summary
This consultation is 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.
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.
We 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. We also invite views on the implications for the future role of the Forestry Commission in England of these proposals.
Please read the consultation letter and the consultation document for more information.
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 today. 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.
