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Government have issued a consultation document about the future of the Forestry Commission, the ownership and management of our forests. I hope you've already signed the petition http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition , but internet petitions are easy to gather large numbers that their impact must be limited.
Here are some information and links that will make it easy for you to make a real difference.
FACTS
Government have designated 4 categories of forest and woodland
1 Large Commercial forests(e.g. Kielder) 2 Small commercially valuable woodlands 3 Multi-purpose forests and woodlands 4 The heritage and community forests and woodlands(e.g. the New Forest). Category 4 is to be "given" to new Charities.
Delamere is designated Category 3.
The proposal for category 3 change of ownership is to offer these woodlands for sale or lease to Community or Civil Society organisations at "the Market Price". If no takers then the forest would be offered for lease or sale to the private sector.
Delamere Forest lies in the constituencies of Stephen O'Brien, MP for Eddisbury and Graham Evans MP for Weaver Vale,who represent many of the members of Weaver Valley.
Opinion
It seems highly unlikely that any Community or Civil Society group could come together to raise the money to buy or lease Delamere Forest at a market price so the Forest would under these proposals fall into the hands of the private sector.
Although there are Rights of Way through the forest, most of them probably give rights to individuals on foot, traversing designated footpaths - a far cry from current usage.
Links
Consultation (time limited) - www.forestry.gov.uk/england-pfeconsultation
Map - www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/PFE_consultationmap.pdf/$file/PFE_consultationmap.pdf
Stephen O'Brien obriens@parliament.uk
Graham Evans graham.evans.mp@parliament.uk
ACTION
Please write or email a letter to your MP and anyone else you are inclined to , in your own style, about big picture or the specifics of Delamere. Please ask for a response
Please pass this on to anyone else you think is affected - individuals or organisations, asking them to take action
