I read with some interest the concerns of the Woodland Trust in an email sent to me earlier in the week, they [Woodland Trust] were raising the issue of the present Government’s [ConLib] commitment to sell some considerable acreage of forestry to the private sector. I have some serious doubts about this policy, not least because I have extensive knowledge of an estate in the west Yorkshire area, presently in the hands of a “private” concern. No names mentioned, but those who read this blog will be familiar with my local knowledge, so you may draw your own conclusions.
I am not concerned that many existing woodlands, and ancient forests, are in private hands, so be it, that is where we are; I am however disturbed that we should sell some more of the “family silver”, and we are talking about just a few spoons here, to deal with the present financial shortfall. The UK is a small collection of islands, and is hugely over populated, particularly in the south east. If you sell an asset that can only be described as a scarce resource at some point that very asset will prove too tempting, and more so because of the very density I mentioned, it is almost certain that such lands will be offered up on the alter of development. Not perhaps in the next decade but in years to come who knows.
Government has a poor track record in sales. I recall the sell off of UK national Defence Research Agency (DRA), the company became:- QinetiQ. Much was said after about the massive under-realisation of the sale! Then there is the matter of the PFI contracts, that the last Government spent heavily on, that looks like a real mess! Don’t forget, although Governments change the same Civil Servants, do the advising and contract negotiation. The politicos act in a “Jim Hacker” fashion, when it comes to signing the projects off. Tempus fugit, and we can all see the creep of development on the limits of every urban area you care to consider, so do not trust our politicos to sell off the land, WE OWN; the people, to some faceless corporations.
For those interested the header picture was taken in some remote woodland of an old “Squire” padlock and clasp almost lost in the leaves of the forest floor. I am not telling where it was found! On a side note the colours fit well with the site!
If you feel the Woodland Trust could do with your support on this matter, they are here.