Future of the public forest estate: Myths busted
Heritage and community woodlands will be run for the benefit of the communities and visitors that enjoy them and the wildlife they sustain.
The myth: Several Sunday newspapers are inaccurately reporting that the costs of the managing heritage forests will double if they pass into control of charitable trusts, and that there are no guarantees concerning future access to our forests and woodlands for members of the public.
The truth: Heritage and community woodlands will be run for the benefit of the communities and visitors that enjoy them and the wildlife they sustain, and the government’s proposals will not jeopardise access. For commercial woodlands, leasehold conditions will protect public access. Neither will the consultation proposals cost the taxpayer any more than the current arrangements.