Damian Carrington writes well on the joint issue - as they are very similar - of NNRs and heritage forests.
And I don't just say that because he likes our vague idea of a merged FC and NE being a wildlife-friendly, public-friendly organisation to run state land - although, of course, that doesn't reduce my high opinion of him.
A love of the natural world demonstrates that a person is a cultured inhabitant of planet Earth.
Hi Mark,
I am just glad that you have moved along so far from your early positions on these posts whereby you could nt see "what's the fuss in the Forest of Dean; it being all crown land". I am glad that you are able to see in my own words from a week or two back "that NNR's and FC should be joined in principle".
Some of the credit is due to this site that has moved you along the path, the standard of contribution is high, also the high level of background noise, House of Commons, 38Degrees, Porrit etc and but also to yourself to have arrived at a position that I feel many people will support, myself included.
However let me now wholesomely applaud the position that you have come to !
The upland sitka forests may end up being the sacrifice in the deal that is now made ? In National Parks and AONB's a new planting policy would be far more achievable under FC than under private stewardship for unless I am mistaken there is no way of requiring plantings to respect soils and water courses which are becoming acidified.
It remains my view that this is not the moment for a Sell Off when forests have doubled in value over the past 8 years; there is a restructuring back to agriculture at this time, this is NOT the time to sell or if yes then shorter leases or leases with a mechanism to fairly review price changes in a generation.
Well done however I can only admire your industry and articulacy. I feel that Caroline Spellman MP is going to owe you a lot, if her position survives.
Peter Plover