The MP’s visit followed several weeks of deep unease at Government proposals to lease the remaining share of England's publicly owned forest. A consultation on the plans was prematurely ended last week by Ministers after huge public protest. Steve was welcomed to Micheldever by locally based Beat Forester Nick Hazlitt and his colleague Ben Phelan as well as David Williamson, the South East Forest District Manager.
He was briefed on the forestry commission estate in Winchester, which includes Micheldever Wood and Black Wood (off the A33), West Wood (Sarum Road) and others in the locality including Alice Holt near Farnham, and some of the future challenges they face.
Speaking after the visit, Steve said:"It's no secret I did not support the Government's recent, ill-fated, plans for England's public forest and I am glad Ministers had the courage to listen to the extraordinary level of public opinion and abandon their plans. But that's not to say all future funding issues have gone away and their future is secured for evermore. The Forestry Commission across England still faces a significant shortfall in its budget as the coalition attempts to scale our enormous deficit and that brings many challenges.
"The team explained to me that they have themselves for many years made planned disposal of forestry land and this is likely to continue as they attempt to balance the books so the public should be aware some change, albeit nowhere near on the scale planned, is possible. What they need now is some certainty from Government and I will be meeting with Ministers as soon as possible to feedback local views from the frontline.
"Above all I came away every bit as confident as I arrived that the Forestry Commission contains an experienced team of highly committed and passionate people who know the responsibility they have to protect public access, manage the timber and protect our woodland for future generations. It is very obvious to me they have the best interests of places such as Micheldever at heart and we must find a way they can manage our woods and forests in the short, medium and long-term."
Pictured - Steve Brine MP with (left to right) Nick Hazlitt, David Williamson & Ben Phelan of the Forestry Commission in Micheldever Wood near Winchester. They were also joined by Steve's dog Popcorn!
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You can find out more about Steve’s fight against the forestry proposals earlier this month via http://www.stevebrine.com/record.jsp?type=news&ID=553