The governments proposed changes to the ownership and management of public forests in England pose a very real danger to UK motor sport and in particular Stage Rallying.
The Independent Panel established earlier this year to look at the forestry issue and make recommendations to government contains only one representative of leisure users and that is the Ramblers Association. Consequently, there is a great danger that the interests of motor sport will not be considered in the panels final report; the disastrous impact of this would be to risk motor sport being excluded from both the public forest estate and any of the forests transferred into private ownership.
The panel is currently consulting with the general public to find out What the forests mean to you? It is essential that as many people as possible from the motor sport community make their views known to the panel. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES IS SUNDAY 31 JULY 2011.
The panel is asking the following questions:
Q1 What do forests and woods mean to you?
Q2 What is your vision for the future of Englands forests and woods?
Q3 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?
Q4 We would like to hear about your suggestions of practical solutions and good practice which can be replicated more widely.
Q5 What do you see as the priorities and challenges for policy about Englands forests and woods?
In order to submit feedback to this consultation, simply send an email to:forestrypanel@defra.gsi.gov.uk, detailing your name and answering as many of the questions as you wish.
PLEASE RESPOND BEFORE THE END OF THIS WEEKEND
It is essential that as many people as possible emphasise the importance to motor sport of continued access to the public forest estate. If we fail to do this, there is every chance that the requirements of motor sport will simply not be considered by the panel.
A sample response paper can be found on the MSA website with some key issues highlighted that you might like to consider when completing your submission. You do not need to answer all the questions, but please respond in your own words, as this is significantly more impactful than an obviously orchestrated campaign.
Further information about the panel and the consultation process can be found on the defra website.
-- Edited by DHH on Tuesday 26th of July 2011 12:18:35 PM
Funny, but when many ask that question they say a forest is a big wood, reality is a forest might have no woodland or very little, which is why the proposed inquiry should be taken seriously as it may very well affect where you ride.
Wood is an Anglo Saxon word, forest is Norman (I think). Wood means that, woodland where trees grow. Forest has a different meaning.
Dartmoor forest for example has little in the way of woodland, so too the New forest yet so many visit say the new forest, expecting there to be lots of trees.
Forests are subject to ancient laws imposed by the Normans hence the Robin Hood legends.
Funny, but when many ask that question they say a forest is a big wood, reality is a forest might have no woodland or very little, which is why the proposed inquiry should be taken seriously as it may very well affect where you ride.
Wood is an Anglo Saxon word, forest is Norman (I think). Wood means that, woodland where trees grow. Forest has a different meaning.
Dartmoor forest for example has little in the way of woodland, so too the New forest yet so many visit say the new forest, expecting there to be lots of trees.
Forests are subject to ancient laws imposed by the Normans hence the Robin Hood legends.
Well, as I am therefore confused by Question 1 this questionnaire is beyond me.
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The link give useful background info on why we need act now
It is important that complaints are phrased differently because form letters are usually lumped together as one objection.
The main point here is that if all motor vehicles are banned from going off road without an event licence being issued then all local trials (long distance included) and motocross will cease to exist.
Currently, holding less than 12 events per year per site does not require an events licence and these are prohibitively expensive
Suggestions below;
Q 1. Our woods are where we go to practice and compete in trials events
Q 2. Something our children can enjoy as we did
Q 3.a I enjoy it b keeps me out of mischief c allows me access to the NE d the landowner benefits
Q 4. Prevent red tape killing local events by continuing to allow a limited number of events per year before a licence is needed
Q 5. To continue to allow access for all without criminalising legitimate hobbies to placate vociferous anti vehicle nazi green campaigners who do not wish to share the countryside with anyone