Yep thought so.
Just added a few words to it that make it more accurate.
a sell-off of Forestry Commission woodland, which could or could not include areas popular with mountain bikers such as Cannock Chase, the Forest of Dean and Grizedale Forest. The government could or could not sell up to half of the 1.85 million acres of woodland currently managed by the Forestry Commission. This managed land includes mountain biking hubs like Hamsterley, Whinlatter, Delamere, Dalby, Cannock Chase, Sherwood Pines, Wyre forest and Haldon Forest Park. According to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs: “All of the Forestry Commission’s sites are included in the proposals
This is a part of the spending reveiw proposals, where a realisation of assets is one facet of the scheme. Any such realisation would go to public consultation and that is unlikely to be completed in less that 4 – 5 years. The expectation is that it is likely to represent 15 – 20% of the forest estate which is expected to be the least profitable and most difficult to manage. i.e. smaller isolated units with nothing other than forestry to sustain them. ie very unlikely to be the larger sites with multiple revenue streams, either way the process has barely started and no one currently knows any detail other than simply guessing.
The best way forward is to get yourself into a position where your voice has as much clout as possible. So join your local trail group as they will be the sort of people who get consulted. A group representing 20 members will not get as much say as one representing 2000 its that simple!!
