A frantic few weeks of lobbying resulted in a back-track by the Government on its decision to sell and lease out thousands of hectares of publicly-owned forest. The proposed sale of 15% of the Public Forest Estate has been postponed, the consultation on the future of the estate has been cancelled and the parts of the Public Bodies Bill in relation to the Forestry Commission will be removed. The Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Caroline Spelman MP, will be establishing an independent panel to consider forestry policy.
However, the Sport and Recreation Alliance is disappointed that the panel will have only one of its members on it. The Ramblers will do an excellent job of representing the interests of walkers, but forests are used by a far broader range of sport and recreational pursuits. The Alliance is working with members to ensure that representations from across the sport and recreation sector are considered by the panel.
Letter to the Secretary of State for DEFRA, supported by the British Canoe Union, The British Horse Society, British Mountaineering Council, Motor Sports Association and the Ramblers.
This afternoon, the Chancellor delivered her Budget speech to Parliament, outlining decisions on tax and spending.
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Ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget statement on 26 November, we take a look a look at the key areas to be aware of and the work the Alliance has been doing lobbying on behalf of members.
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Government has today formally launched a consultation on reforming the role of statutory consultees in the planning system. The consultation runs for eight weeks, closing on 13 January 2026.
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