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.
Sport and activity should be for everyone, everywhere. This National Inclusion Week, we celebrate progress while calling for change to break down the barriers disabled people continue to face.
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The Sport and Recreation Alliance is delighted to announce that the organisation will be hosting a special event at St James’s Palace on 12 November 2025 to mark its 90th anniversary.
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Yesterday, the Sport and Recreation Alliance were delighted to be joined by MPs, Peers and colleagues from across the sector for a panel discussion featuring representation from the Lawn Tennis Association, Sport England, The Football Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board, who spoke on the importance of protecting community sport and recreation spaces within the planning system.
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