UK forest Sale Plan Scrapped After Outcry

Mohammed Abbas PlanetArk 18 Feb 11;

The British government on Thursday scrapped its controversial plans to sell the bulk of England's publicly owned forests after intense public opposition.

"I am sorry, we got this one wrong. But we have listened to peoples' concerns," farming and environment minister Caroline Spelman told parliament, to jeers from opponents.

A consultation into the proposed sale of large swathes of historic woodland was met with hostility by countryside and environment groups who feared a sale would damage nature and restrict public access.

The Forestry Commission currently owns 258,000 hectares of land -- about 18 percent of total English woodland -- and the government had been taking soundings on selling 85 percent. Thursday's announcement means that plan has been scrapped.

A separate commitment to sell the remaining 15 percent is on hold while ministers review criteria of the sale.

The government had planned to sell woodland on 150-year leases to the private sector to help it tackle a record budget deficit, now at about 10 percent of national output.

Opponents of the sale hailed the cancellation as a victory while Labour accused the coalition of the biggest U-turn since it was formed after last May's general election.

To gleeful shouts of "timber!" from the opposition benches in parliament, Prime Minister David Cameron admitted on Wednesday that he was not happy with the planned privatization.

David Babbs, of campaign group 38 Degrees, said: "Some say signing petitions and emailing (MPs) never changes anything. But it did this time. This is what people-power looks like, and over half a million of us are feeling very proud."

(Editing by Steve Addison)

Forest sale axed: Caroline Spelman says 'I'm sorry'
BBC News 17 Feb 11;

Controversial plans to sell 258,000 hectares of state-owned woodland in England have been abandoned.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman told MPs the government had "got this one wrong", as she announced the current consultation was being halted.

Instead, it is understood a new panel of experts will be set up to look at public access and biodiversity within the publicly owned woodland.

Labour said it showed the government was "incompetent" and "out of touch".

The plans were intended to give the private sector, community and charitable groups greater involvement in woodlands by encouraging a "mixed model" of ownership.

'Wrong impression'

But critics argued it could threaten public access, biodiversity and result in forests being used for unsuitable purposes.

The public outcry over the plans led to half a million people reportedly signing a petition against the sell-off.

In a statement to MPs, Mrs Spelman announced the policy was being removed from the Public Bodies Bill currently going through Parliament.

She said: Ms Spelman said: "I would first like to say that I take full responsibility for the situation that brings me before the House today.

"Let me make it clear that we have always placed the highest priority on preserving access and protecting our forests.

"But the forestry clauses in the Public Bodies Bill, published well before we launched the consultation, gave the wrong impression as to the government's intentions."
'My choice'

Mrs Spelman added: "I'm sorry. We got this one wrong, but we have listened to people's concerns."

She also said: "One of the things we teach our children to do is say sorry. It is not a humiliation; it is my choice."

David Cameron hinted on Wednesday that he was backing away from the policy. Asked during Prime Minister's Questions whether he was happy with the plans, he said no.

Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh welcomed the U-turn, saying to Mrs Spelman: "Can I begin by welcoming your full and frank apology to this House and to the nation on getting this so very wrong. I am sure the last 48 hours have not been easy for you."

Labour leader Ed Miliband MP said: "Virtually every person in the country could see selling off our forests was a foolish and short-sighted policy but they went ahead regardless. Now they are panicked into a retreat hours after Mr Cameron said they would carry on with their consultation.

"This is a chaotic and incompetent way to run government."
'No win situation'

Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine said he was "rather surprised" by the climbdown as there was little evidence that forests were better run in the public sector than in private hands.

"I know of no argument that says a government department is more likely to run a forest better than the National Trust," he told an edition of BBC One's Question Time to be broadcast later on Thursday.

Lord Heseltine, who advises David Cameron on regional economic issues, said ministers could not "win" in such a situation as "if you don't change your mind you are accused of being obstinate and pig-headed and if you do change you mind you are accused of being weak".

He added: "I think it does show a degree of strength as long as you don't do it too often because then you become prone to making mistakes."

The government is allowed to sell off 15% of England's woodlands in each four-year public spending period.

The current planned 15% sale of about 40,000 hecates is on hold while criteria are examined to ensure public benefits are protected, ministers say, but it is due to go ahead over the next four years - raising an estimated £100m.

Labour also expressed concern over job cuts due at the Forestry Commission, which will see it lose a quarter of its workforce.