SALE OF FORESTS

That this House notes with concern draft plans to sell off areas of public forest in England, potentially including Grizedale Forest in the Lake District; recognises that public ownership has ensured biodiversity, carbon storage, sustainability as well as public access; believes that the value the Exchequer would gain from the sale of these forests would be outweighed by the long-term environmental, landscape and economic costs; and calls on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider alternative options.