News that the government plans to sell off all 258,00 hectres of state-owned English woodland has been met with roaring disaproval by the public. A recent YouGov survey showed that 84% of us are against the sale.
Steven Morris visits in the Forest of Dean, to assess the mood of local people on the government's prospective sale. He meets Ian Standing and Rich Daniels from Hands Off Our Forests, to find out why they think the Forestry Commisson must remain in control.
Barely a couple of weeks into the three-month consultation period, could the coalition government be having second thoughts? Steven meets Conservative councillor Brian Thornton plus fellow councillor Alistar Fraser, who offers an alternative ownership model for Britain's woodland.
The Guardian's environment editor John Vidal explains his concerns for the eco-systems and wildlife if a sale went ahead and Fiona Renyolds, director general of the National Trust, describes the role her organisation could play in the future.
