Cannock Chase sale ruled out by ministers

Cannock Chase will not be sold off to private investors as the Government today vowed "our forests will stay in public hands".

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman made the pledge after an expert panel called for around 640,000 acres of woodland to remain in public ownership.

Proposals to privatise the forest estate managed by the Forestry Commission – which makes up 18 per cent of England's woodland and includes the 3,000-acre Chase – provoked public outcry when they were announced last year.

The outcry resulted in the plans being dropped 21 days after they were unveiled, with the Independent Panel on Forestry set up in the aftermath of the saga to advise ministers on forestry policy in England.

Today the panel said the estate should remain in ownership as land held in trust for the nation.

And Ms Spelman moved quickly to insist she would back the recommendation. It means the Chase, which attracts 1.5 million people a year, will continue to be managed by the Forestry Commission. Mark Davis, who heads local campaign group Save Cannock Chase, welcomed the independent panel's findings.

"It's obviously a very detailed report and I am glad they have taken a good solid look at it," he said.

"What does concern me is how the recommendations will affect the current running of the Forestry Commission. I would say it is a cautious welcome."

The 6,000-acre Wyre Forest, which stretches from Bewdley straddling the borders of Worcestershire and Shropshire, will also remain in public ownership.

Wyre Forest Labour councillor Howard Martin said it was "excellent news".