Apologies if this particular bit has been done before - article in the Westmorland Gazette this week....
Over the next three years, the Forestry Commission has been told to sell off 15 per cent of its land - which is estimated to be worth at least £80m.DEFRA has confirmed that a consultation will be launched at the end of this month which will lead to the complete privatisation of public forestry.
Wow, so a consultation where the outcome has already been decided and it's really just a window dressing exercise? Now that is a surprise
Grizedale and Whinlatter forests in the Lake District, which between them bring in £20 million a year, would be seen as flagship sales in Cumbria.
Pockets of publicly-owned land have already been hived off by the Forestry Commission, including Riggwood at Grizedale, which was sold for around £120,000 last year and later closed to public access.
Also
Buyers of freehold land would have to keep public rights of ways open for walkers but there would be no requirement for them to provide access for cycling, mountain biking and horse riders.
Presumably that just refers to the man made trails that aren't rights of way though? Surely bridleways have the same rights as footpaths? Either way its not good.
