UK celebrities oppose forest selloff plans

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the singer Annie Lennox and actress Judi Dench are celebrities and celebrities who are invited to scrap government plans to sell the pound of publicly owned forests.

The proposed sale would be "ill judged and short sighted," said an open letter signed by 90 people known.

Other artists signed Tracey Emin, model Lily Cole, chief Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, former London Mayor Ken Livingstone, the novelist Julian Barnes, actress Gillian Anderson, Dame Joan Bakewell station, the actor Richard E. Grant and designer Dame Vivienne Westwood.

The letter, published by the Campaign of Great Britain only Forest said bill under discussion in Parliament will enable the government to sell public forest land entirely to commercial interests on the open market.

Access to public forests to be limited in time and eroded their protection, "the letter said.

"We are an island nation also more people to flee into the forest by the sea" celebrities say. document.

"Our forests close to countless species of plants and native animals. We relied on them since time immemorial, but we're only a heartbeat of their history ...

"We, the undersigned, believe that future generations benefit inadmissible and not a guarantee of public land."

Letter urges the government to suspend the sale of a significant "until the public is fully heard."

The campaign was launched in response to the government's announcement last year that it was a hearing on the new owners options "for the public forest estate.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has insisted there are no plans to sell natural reserves, and promised that community groups and charities could play a major role in protecting critical habitats.

The state now owns 18% of forests and woodlands in England.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requires that the rights are not lost. In a message on his website, said: "The interest in this has led to a clear indication that public concern for the country's forests.

"We, too, so that protection will be implemented for many plants and creatures that live there and the public to continue enjoying.

"We encourage everyone with an interest in this question of waiting for the consultation will be published and to see our plans fully."