BHS expresses concern of Forestry Commission 'sell off'
26th October 2010Equestrian access to thousands of acres of England’s forests could be lost under new Government plans as large swathes of public forests in rural England may be sold off as part of the Government's efforts to plug the national deficit.
Environment secretary Caroline Spellman is expected to announce plans to sell around half the 1.85 million acres of woodland overseen by the Forestry Commission.
Equestrians currently enjoy access to thousands of acres of Forestry Commission forests. Whilst walkers’ access to these forests is enshrined in legislation, access for equestrians is not. The loss of any public safe off-road riding is disastrous, but if the opportunity to ride in these forests is lost it will be devastating for many equestrians.
The British Horse Society’s Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “It is imperative that any sales of such forests only take place subject to a dedication of equestrian access pursuant to section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, so that access for equestrians is protected by legislation just as it is for walkers.”