Save Our Forests: Open Spaces Society response

Robin Wood sunset February 2011

The Open Spaces Society has published a set of safeguards for the public forest estate in England which will ensure open access to the forests which might be sold off. Of course I would prefer nothing to be sold off and the whole proposals (clauses 17 to 19) to be dropped from the Public Bodies Bill.

They have written to MPs urging them to advocate these safeguards in the debate.

All these safeguards must be satisfied before the sale of Forestry Commission woods and forests happen.

All land should be offered first to a charity or community group, together with the guarantee of sufficient funds for that organisation and its successors to manage it in perpetuity, for its access, biodiversity and landscape qualities.

Before any Forestry Commission land is sold, the prospective purchaser must sign an agreement, legally-binding in perpetuity, to:

1. retain and manage the land as woodland and not allow it to be developed for any other purpose,

2. where there are legal rights of access, maintain and increase these, adding rights for riders and cyclists wherever appropriate,

3. where there are no legal rights of access, dedicate the land so that there are permanent rights of access throughout the wood or forest for walkers, riders and cyclists,

4. welcome informal access, free of charge, at all times.

Says general secretary, Kate Ashbrook: "These are tough tests, but they are absolutely essential if our forests and woodlands are to continue to provide inspiration, refreshment and recreation for the public, as well being a vital component of the landscape and habitat for wildlife. Nothing less is acceptable."

Private Forest Ownership equals Less Access

Robin Wood near Melbourne is a prime example of how access to woodland can easily be reduced by private owners. This wood is owned by the Church Commissioners (i.e. the Church of England) and managed by the Forestry Commission. For many years open access to the wood allowed mountain bikers and horse riders to roam over all of it. However just over a year ago, things changed and a sign appeared announcing that the lease had changed. Changed for the worse. Public access was now prohibited. Prohibited, despite the fact that a public bridleway runs through the middle of it.

After pressure, tatty A4 posters were produced to say that the bridleway and the footpath were not affected but all other access was not allowed. Those tatty posters have gone but the bridleway is still not properly way-marked. 

Of course the locals ignore the "No Public Access" sign and still ride their horses and mountain bikes over the site. A less generous private owner would no doubt fence the site off and allow narrow channels for the public rights of way as has happened at Rigg Wood in Cumbria. Make no mistake the privatisation of our forestry will disadvantage walkers, horse riders, orienteerers and mountain-bikers. If you belong to any of these groups make your voice heard before you lose your access.

Robin Wood Meeting

Committee members of Melbourne Civic Society and a local Ticknall resident met Alan Dowell and James Williams of the Forestry Commission at Woodside Farm to discuss the future of Robin Wood and access issues.

We were shown the recently cleared area and sections of the wood which had recovered after thinning out and the removal of conifers five years ago. The Forestry Commission, as well as removing conifers, was planting oaks and cherry trees. We were also given copies of the impressive 50 year development plan for the wood which describes how the wood will return to a mainly deciduous state (as it had been before World War Two). The habitats of raptors, owls and bats were also being protected. A tall dead tree has been left as a lookout post for raptors.

Mr Dowell assured us that access to the bridleway and footpath through the wood was protected and that they would both be better signed in the future. In all, a very positive morning's visit.

Robin Wood deforestation

Lots going on at Robin Wood today.

An outfit called Euroforest seems to cutting down a large swathe of the section close to the Stanton/Ingleby bridleway. It would be nice to see the plan they are working to. I have written to the Forestry Commission for one.

Notice at entrance to the wood. The map referred to does not exist.

Logs being stacked.



















Coniferous trees being logged today.

Robin Wood Library

There's plenty of reading material up at Robin Wood these days with lots of information about current forestry activities.

However the route marking is not good enough as the bridleway marker is on a gate post which is still on the ground (plus the maps are not very clear). There is still no news why access to the wood has been restricted.

Robin Wood - Land Agents Smiths Gore Lichfield

I have written to the Land Agents who manage Robin Wood for the Church Commissioners asking them to explain why access has been restricted. The day to day management of the wood is handled by the Forestry Commission (West Midlands). I wrote to them over a week ago but no reply yet.

Robin Wood - some progress

The misleading sign above has been corrected by a notice pinned to the leg of the sign showing rights of way through the wood.

Unfortunately the notice is very difficult to read (I could barely make out the routes on the map - see below) and its attachment is rather flimsy.

I wonder why the owners (the Church Commissioners) have changed the access rules to the wood as until recently it was completely open access.

Link to previous post.

Robin Wood - Misleading Sign

I was very confused by this new sign whilst walking around the wood yesterday as a bridleway goes straight through the middle of the wood and a footpath along one side.

I have spoken to Alan Dowell of the Forestry Commission today who has agreed that the sign is confusing. He is going to add a new section to the sign pointing out that the ROWs are still open.

The Ingleby/Stanton Bridleway is to the right of the sign!