Exclusive: Woodland sell-off danger to region’s heritage

A Yorkshire Post investigation has revealed there are more than 3,000 conservation and heritage sites in the region which could be placed in jeopardy if the sale of publicly-owned woodland is pushed through.

The vast majority of 638,000 acres of woodland overseen by the Forestry Commission nationally could be sold as Ministers hope to raise up to £250m to counter the national deficit.

But 2,231 archaeological sites ranging from ancient stone crosses and cairns to important features of Yorkshire’s industrial past such as jet and ironstone mining are afforded no legal protection.

More than 1,000 conservation areas also have no formal designation under legislation, prompting fears private owners buying up woodland would not preserve them.

Jon Bates, a regional staff representative for the Public and Commercial Services Union which represents Forestry Commission staff, said: “It is extremely important that these sites are protected, because many of them are of national as well as local importance.

“The big fear is, however, that these sites could be lost to the nation. Private woodland owners would be under no legal obligation to protect these habitats.

“The Government is giving paper thin guarantees which ultimately would mean that there is no enforcement action which could be taken to protect these sites.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a 12-week consultation at the end of last month to get the public’s view on the plans.

About 15 per cent of public forests is due to be sold off to raise an estimated £100m. The consultation deals with the remaining 85 per cent of woodland, which the Government believes could raise £250m.

The average cost of woodland is about £3,000 for 2.5 acres, although the price can increase dramatically if the land is attractive for shooting or has good quality timber nearly ready for felling.

The 1,300-acre Stang Forest, near Richmond in North Yorkshire, was recently sold by the Forestry Commission to a private consortium for £3.25m.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee’s chairwoman, Anne McIntosh, admitted the public backlash would make it increasingly difficult for the Government’s sell-off to become a reality.

Miss McIntosh has received more than 300 letters and emails of protest but she stressed it was vital for the public to express their views through the formal 12-week consultation.

She maintained that there was no legal base for the sell-off to happen until a Public Bodies Bill is debated in the House of Commons in the spring.

The Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton said: “Defra needs to understand just how angry people are about the proposals, although people do need to air their views through the consultation – that is what it is there for. Any Government would not proceed with these proposals if there is such open hostility to the consultation.”

Defra claimed the consultation is the first step in a long-term plan which could take up to 10 years to execute. A spokesman added: “We’re asking how the public benefits of the estate can be best protected. The consultation sets out possible approaches which could include using the terms of any transfers or the lease conditions to ensure that these benefits are maintained.”