Forestry (Hansard, 5 July 1974)

§ Mr. Peart

Yes. My right hon. Friends and I have decided to bring in new arrangements built upon the revised policy framework which was announced by the previous administration on 24th October last and which included provision for the Forestry Commission's own operations. We attach great importance to the continued progress of forestry on these lines.

In particular we are introducing a new dedication scheme, which has been devised after wide consultation with the interests concerned, including representatives of private forestry, planning, amenity, agricultural and other organisations. We aim to start on 1st October. An explanatory leaflet has already been prepared, and copies are being placed in the Library of the House. Details of the arrangements 289W are being notified to the European Commission.

Owners entering the scheme will accept a continuing obligation to manage their woodlands so as to secure sound forestry practice, good land use, including effective integration with agriculture, environmental benefits and provision of such opportunities for recreation, including provision for public access, as may be appropriate. In return they will receive a basic grant of £45 per hectare—£18.21 per acre—payable after approved planting of an approved crop. For land approved for planting with hardwoods and planted so as to establish a hardwood crop and give a predominantly hardwood appearance in the landscape over the greater part of the woodland's life, a supplementary grant of £125 per hectare—£50.59 per acre—will be payable in addition.

The Forestry Commission will consider for entry into the scheme both existing woodlands and bare land for planting providing it normally extends to at least one hectare, approximately two and a half acres.

For the entry into the scheme of areas of 10 or more hectares, approximately 25 acres, there will be a legal instrument of dedication under which, at the time of felling, either party will be able to exercise an option to end dedication. Similar but less formal contracts are proposed for areas of less than 10 hectares. In either case a successor in title will customarily be invited to take up his predecessor's rights and obligations under a fresh agreement.

Owners will be entitled to retain their existing rights and obligations by remaining under the previous schemes or they can transfer into the new scheme any area which meets its requirements.

In considering applications the commission will consult the Agricultural Departments, local planning authorities, and other interests concerned as appropriate with the object of ensuring that land use, agricultural, amenity, recreation and nature conservation requirements are satisfied. They will also consult the planning and other authorities over environmental issues when considering owners' plans of operations. In handling individual grant applications and felling licensing the commission will endeavour, as at present, to secure the agreement of 290W all parties concerned. However in cases where differences of view remain the commission will invite the appropriate regional advisory committee to assist it in the process of reconciling views; and if this further procedure fails to produce a settlement acceptable to all concerned the commission will refer the case to Ministers for decision. The commission will also consult regional advisory committees before commenting upon regional, structure and local plans. Meantime steps are being taken to reconstitute the regional advisory committees to include representatives of agriculture, planning and environmental interests and the Forestry Commission will be announcing further details in due course.