Petition text

Please guarantee our forests will be protected from development. This means: Launching a proper public consultation on Forest Holidays' plans to build chalet complexes on more of our forests Review the agreement between Forest Holidays and The Forestry Commission Make a public commitment to protect our forests from profiteering and privatisation

Why is this important?

Our woodland and forests are some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. But private company 'Forest Holidays' is being allowed to buy leases of up to 125 years in order to build luxury holiday chalets in our forests.

125 year leases are akin to selling the land, and only a small proportion of the money made from this venture makes it back into the public’s purse.

Ten such holiday parks have already been created and many more are planned – all exclusively on Forestry Commission land and many in our National Parks. Mortimer Forest near Ludlow has recently been revealed as their latest target.

We call on you, the Secretary of State, to stop the privatisation of our forests through the back door.