Forestry Commission Consultation Hub

The Forestry Commission is at the heart of the progress being made in protecting, improving and expanding our woodlands and forests, and enhancing local communities and economy.

Here you will find the latest topics that the Forestry Commission is seeking views on - have your say!

Closed Consultations

  • Park Lane - options for consultation 2020

    A consultation survey for neighbours and residents on Park Lane, Bedgebury Forest and local parishes of Hawkhurst, Sissinghurst and Cranbrook and Goudhurst to submit views on proposed options to address displaced parking. More

    Closed 31 December 2020

  • Forestry England learning activity feedback 2020

    Thank you for learning in and about the forest with Forestry England. We offer downloadable lesson plans, learning trails and led activities in partnership with our learning providers. We would appreciate it if you could give us your thoughts on your experience of learning with us by... More

    Closed 31 December 2020

  • Wharncliffe and Wombwell Forest Plan

    We would like to invite feedback on the proposed Wharncliffe and Wombwell Forest Plan which lies in South Yorkshire. The Wharncliffe and Wombwell Forest Plan (FP) summarises proposals by Forestry England for the management of 3 woodlands - Wharncliffe, Old Park and Wombwell. ... More

    Closed 18 December 2020

  • Coatham Woods User Survey

    We know that Coatham Woods is an important place for many of you to exercise, watch nature and relax. This survey is to find out more about these visits. More

    Closed 11 December 2020

  • Broughton Moor Forest Plan 2020

    Forest plans define the long term vision for a woodland or a collection of woodlands and set out how management will move towards achieving this vision over the next ten years. We would like to invite you or your organisation to leave some feedback on our proposed revision to the forest... More

    Closed 2 December 2020

See All Closed Consultations

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

Members of the public and stakeholders were invited to the consultation of the draft proposals for the Broughton Moor Forest Plan 2020-2030, to leave feedback to ensure that the plans objectives and proposals were considered and balanced. This was carried out via emails and notices displayed at forest entrances. 

You said

There were a handful of responses to the consultation from members of the public, with most supporting the main forest management objectives. The main concerns raised include the following:

-The impact of larch felling in Broughton Moor 

-Demand for mountain biking facilities in Broughton Moor

-Questions around Public Right of Way maintenance

-Concerns around illegal motorbike access

We did

Comments and feedback were incorporated into the Forest Plan where necessary.

The concern around the impact of larch felling in Broughton Moor is understandable given the prominence of this species in areas of the forest, particularly around The Hawk. The issuing of a statutory plant health notice and the ongoing threat to the larch trees in the area necessities that we act now, to reduce the risk to other trees in the area. In addition, the planned restocking containing a higher proportion of broadleaves when compared to the previous plan aims to reduce the landscape impact in the long term that losing the larch will cause.

Creation of cycle trails is outside of the scope of this forest management plan, however the feedback for additional cycling provision has been passed onto the recreation team for their consideration. Grizedale is Forestry England’s hub for mountain biking and supports numerous trails. There are no formal cycle paths or trails in Broughton Moor.

We remain committed to monitoring illegal motorbike activity in Broughton Moor and will continue to liaise with the police regarding this matter.

The Public Rights of Way within Broughton Moor are the responsibility of the National Park authority to maintain, and these comments have been passed onto the appropriate staff there.

This forest plan has now been submitted to the Forestry Commission for approval.

We asked

We asked people to provide feedback on proposed plans for some development work at Tyler's Wood. Thank you for your responses.

You said

There was a positive response to the consultation. The majority of respondents supported the development of more wildflowers, pathways, trees, a pond and additional seating. There was a strong interest in ensuring our forest wildlife continues to thrive and that the benefits of our forests will continue for generations to come. The majority of respondents stay up to date with our sites through the Facebook page (Thames Chase Woodlands - Forestry England) and notice boards on the site. We will continue to use these platforms and keep them up to date. There was some interest in volunteering on this project. We will continue to review Covid-19 guidance and advertise for volunteers if and when we feel it is safe to do so.

We did

Comments and feedback have been reviewed and incorporated into the development plan for Tyler's Wood. Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.

We asked

We asked people to leave feedback on the newly drafted Forest Plan for Haugh Woods.  Thank you for your responses.

This forms part of our consultation with stakeholders, that helps to ensure that we achieve an appropriate balance when managing the woodlands.

 

You said

Overall there was positive support for the land management proposals within the new Forest Plan. 

There was concern over potential conflicts in use between walkers and mountain bikers and the impacts that deer and grey squirrel may have on broadleaf regeneration.

 

 

 

We did

Comments have been shared with the Forestry England beat forester, ecologist and recreation teams.  

The Forest Plan has now been submitted to the Forestry Commission for approval.