HC Deb 01 April 1977 vol 929 cc290-1W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report any new schemes introduced during 1976, or proposed for introduction during 1977, to encourage the public or allow the public to make greater use of Forestry Commission land for recreational and educational activities.

Mr. Strang

The following are the main developments:

Introduced in 1976

Camping and Caravan Sites

  • Tangham (59 pitches) (Suffolk).
  • Swarland (40 pitches) (Northumberland).

Forest Drives Galloway Forest (Dumfries and Galloway Region).

Visitor Centres

  • Queen Elizabeth Forest (Hampshire).
  • Hamsterley Forest (Durham).
  • Coed Taf Forest (Powys and Mid Glamorgan).

Wayfaring Courses

  • Crowthorne Wood (Berkshire).
  • Dalby Forest (North Yorkshire).
  • Hamsterley Forest (Durham).
  • Queen Elizabeth Forest (Hampshire).
  • Forest of Dean (Gloucester).
  • Achray Forest (Central Region).
  • Glentress Forest (Borders Region).
  • The Queen's Forest (Highland Region).
  • Beddgelert Forest (Gwynedd).
  • Gwydyr Forest (Gwynedd).
  • Tair Onen Forest (Mid Glamorgan).
  • Margam Forest (West Glamorgan).
  • Wentwood Forest (Gwent).

Proposed in 1977

Forest Cabins Kernow Forest 30 cabins (Cornwall).

Camping and Caravans Sites Balmacara 60 pitches (Highland Region).

Forest Drives Achray Forest (Central Region).

Visitor Centres

  • Alice Holt Forest (Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey).
  • Thornthwaite Forest (Cumbria).
  • Westonbirt Arboretum (Gloucester).
  • Rheidol Forest (Dyfed).
  • Strathyre Forest (Central and Tayside Region).

Wayfaring Courses

  • Kirkhill Forest (Grampian Region).
  • And 4 other sites to be determined.

In addition, the Forestry Commission provided many small schemes, such as forest walks, nature trails, and picnic sites, at a number of forests during 1976, and will continue to increase such facilities as circumstances permit. In consultation with the Field Studies Council and other educational bodies, training aids for teachers have been provided at nine forests during 1976 to improve the value of visits by schoolchildren, and more will be introduced in 1977.