Help shape forestry policy

The Independent Panel on Forestry wants to understand the widest range of views, interests and expertise, they welcome you to share your views and ideas on any aspect of forests and woods through the call for views (PDF). The following list of questions may help frame your response. It would be helpful if you could respond under these broad questions: ON OR BEFORE 31ST JULY 2011

Question 1 – What do forests and woods mean to you?

Question 2 – What is your vision for the future of England’s forests and woods?

Question 3 – What do you feel to be the benefits of forests and woods to:
a) You personally;
b) Society as a whole;
c) The natural environment; and
d) The economy?

Question 4 – We would like to hear about your suggestions of practical solutions and good practice which can be replicated more widely.

Question 5 – What do you see as the priorities and challenges for policy about England’s forests and woods?

Responses to  forestrypanel@defra.gsi.gov.uk or by post to
Secretariat to the Independent Panel on Forestry,
c/o Defra, Area 5E, Nobel House,
17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR

New Bridleway?

Today saw the final submissions to the Public Inquiry, held in the Kingsley Centre, into an application for two new Bridleways between Headley Bridleway 54 and Cradle Lane (Kingsley BOAT 29) made by Maureen Comber in October 2000. Maureen, as many will know, has been a tireless campaigner for greater access to the countryside for many years and in addition to her role as Trustee of the British Horse Society she is also its local Bridleways Officer.

The brief history of this application is that it was originally refused some seven years after it was made. The decision was immediately appealed to the secretary of state who appointed a Planning Inspector.

The Inspector found in favour of the applicant and instructed Hampshire County Council (HCC) to make an Order for a Bridleway, which they did in October 2008. In November 2008 HCC objected to its own Order resulting in a Public Inquiry, held in the Liphook Millenium Centre in Sept/Oct 2009, which refused to confirm the Order.

An application was lodged for Judicial Review of that decision. At this point DEFRA quashed the decision and both HCC and the landowners insisted on having a new Public Inquiry, this one.

You can view the proposed changes to the Definitive Map here (PDF) and you can read the original (Liphook) Decision notice here (PDF)

Decision details here.

Ragwort Awareness Week

Ragwort is a very common weed, you see it along roadsides and in fields and gardens. It is of particular interest to horse owners because the plant is toxic to horses (and to some extent humans).

The British Horse Society is particularly keen to monitor levels of Ragwort and runs a campaign each year asking people who see Ragwort to spend a couple of minutes completing the survey form on their website. The form is only available during Ragwort Awareness Week (11-17 July) as they wish to gain precise annual snapshots for use as evidence when lobbying for better controls.

Complete the survey questionnaire and you'll be entered in a prize draw to win one of two Mark Todd Blouson Jackets!

For more information about Ragwort visit www.bhs.org.uk or www.ragwortfacts.com