Natural injustice

THE stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Peter and the Wolf or Hansel and Gretel, which played a part in so many people's upbringing, would never have achieved the same resonance had the children been exploring forests run by McDonalds or Tesco. The thought of woods being commercialised never entered the heads of most kids, or adults for that matter, until the last few months. Even though the idea has entered the minds of a few Ministers and Whitehall mandarins, it should be quickly dismissed.

England's vast area of publicly owned woodland, managed by the Forestry Commission, must not be sold. The land is part of the nation's historic, cultural and environmental heritage. Having been a central feature of the countryside and part of the life of the nation for thousands of years, it should not be thrown away. It would mean squandering the natural inheritance of future generations for short-term gain.

Britain has severe economic problems but selling hundreds of thousands of acres of woodland would make only the smallest dent in the deficit, while raising questions over the areas' long-term sustainability and free access. While the privatisation of the rail and utility networks were very different types of deal to the one suggested for woodland, they show that introducing the profit incentive does not always serve the public good.

Meanwhile the broad coalition which has been mobilised to fight a potential sale, from Tracey Emin to the Archbishop of Canterbury, shows that it is not just eco-warriors or activists who are concerned. Most Yorkshire folk would rather preserve the splendour of places like Dalby Forest than add to the number of holiday villages, golf courses or commercial logging operations here. Ministers should think again and ensure the woodland story has a happy ending.