On March 18 the Review published a most perceptive article by Mick Holder, secretary of the Commoners' Association, concerning designation of  woodland or Forest waste. Mick referred to a plot of land for which the Forestry Commission applied for planning permission, which appeared to be a test case  to sell off publically owned land. At least, this so-called Forest waste at Mile End revealed Government intentions  to escalate the sales of our woodland, just prior to their U-turn in the face of public outrage.   

During 1981, when an identical confrontation with the Government took place, there were sensible protocols in place,  which allowed cottagers to purchase, for example, small garden extensions. However, this latest approach seeking planning permission on 0.08 hectare could lead to the same forestry sell-off as the district council and HOOF Campaign has desperately tried to prevent.

There are those who, when this application came before the planning committee, would have agreed for permission to have been given in line with the planning recommendation, simply to avoid any successful planning appeal against refusal. 

However, this ignores the basic principle of 'right or wrong' and such an approach would have been more about the politics of expedience.

Choosing the ground may have made sense when preparing for a medieval battle, but, in my opinion, Foresters did not have such a luxury and had to make a stand. We had to act immediately to defend our woodlands and our way of life and the Commoners and Freeminers who accompanied the recent council delegation to Westminster did just that.

Finally, however, further clarification is required about the definition of 'Forest waste' within the Forest of Dean. The District Council Core Strategy, currently out for public consultation, provides an opportunity to establish a planning policy which would enable everyone to understand and respect the meaning of the term 'Forest waste'.

– Andrew Gardiner, Ruardean.