The Big Forestry Sell-Off... Good or bad...Thoughts

[bythamboy]

. I would like to buy a block with a fishing lake and no public access poss selfish but want to make a bit of dosh from camp site and fishing pegs

[Dave.G.]

Cant understand why the government would sell it off if its profitable or who would want to buy it if its not.

Can't see the NT or other charitable trusts being able to afford large areas of woodland unless its being split into small lots.

And I can't work out how the FC will still be able to afford the research and education work it does if it can't sell timber.

The FC has done alot for me and it only costs me 30p a year.

[Rob Stringer]

Cant understand why the government would sell it off if its profitable or who would want to buy it if its not.

Can't see the NT or other charitable trusts being able to afford large areas of woodland unless its being split into small lots.

And I can't work out how the FC will still be able to afford the research and education work it does if it can't sell timber.

The FC has done alot for me and it only costs me 30p a year.

 

Agree with this. The worst case scenario, large areas could be bought up by developers waiting for planning laws to be relaxed (dont need a felling licence if you've got planning permission).

[Dave.G.]

Personally I think large multi-national corporations will buy them up. But to make a profit they will restrict access and cut spending on footpaths, car parks, visitor centres, benches ,BBQ's the list is endless. All the things the FC does really well and all the things the public enjoy but also all the things that prevent the FC from turning a profit.

Just my thoughts.

[18 stoner]

I think it's more bad than good. Public access to woodlands is vital and some people won't want that after buying a load of acres (If i had the cash i would buy some and make it better for people to wonder around and explore).

There are so many other ways the government could save money. What a shame.

 

Mmmm, not real sure i get your point Alex.

 

Are you saying if you bought some woodland you could decide who went on it but another buyer couldnt decide who went on theirs?

[renewablejohn]

I will be in the queue if any comes up locally at a reasonable price but I think it will go in very big blocks for the boardmakers and power generators to fight over.

[djbobbins]

I thought I'd heard / read somewhere it was going to be sold in 5 acre blocks?

 

I guess there will be a desire from the government to make this "attractive" to the small investor, so like the 80's privatisations there will be some kind of limit on amount any one individual or organisation can buy.

 

Of course, unlike the 80's privatisations, what is being sold is heterogenous. a 5 acre block with road access and a waterway or lake is not the same as a chunk completely isolated and with no distinguishing features. It will be interesting to see how this is dealt with. Do some people just get lucky with what land their name is pulled out of the "interested bidders" hat for?

 

I also think / hope that there some pretty robust covenants on future use - maintaining rights of way, restriction on building, felling limits etc.

[TRADITIONAL LOGGERS]

FC have been selling of woods in a covert fashion for a long time. (Public Unaware)

 

I think if it allows people like me who run small sustainable woodland business to purchase a 200 acres mixed wood then it's a fine idea however the latest news is no sale now and lease them instead to certain charities which mean more woods being wasted while carbon taxes are sold. 20% of UK woods are managed and 80% wood products imported.

[TRADITIONAL LOGGERS]

Should mention that all the national press info about all woods being clearfelled is nonsence and misleading the public. I have noticed numerous high profile people jumping on the "we hate all foresters" bandwagon.

 

The few small sections of woods we have cleared felled were already storm damaged and a nightmare to remove. Private woods works well in Sweden and Norway so should here.

[treemeup]

I've seen a few reports by accountants who sound like they will be recommending their more well off clients to buy woodland to avoid paying inheritance tax, costing the government a quid or two........but not for a few years!