Protests at forest sell-off - Mirror.co.uk

PUBLIC alarm grew yesterday over Government plans to sell off swathes of the nation's forests to private firms.

More than 250,000 signed the Save our Forests petition as Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman launched a 10-week consultation.

Ms Spelman claimed criticism of the scheme to sell 600,000 acres to ­charities and community groups has been "wildly inaccurate".

Advertisement - article continues below »

But if they cannot raise the cash, 150-year leases for half our forests would go to firms for timber or recreation.

Stars including Dame Judi Dench and Annie Lennox are leading the protests.

The Coalition already plans to raise £100million selling 15% of woodland. New sales could bring £250million in 10 years. The Woodland Trust's Sue Holden said: "It is the UK equivalent of the rainforest."