Will we stand by and watch the privatisation of our forests? | Simon Jenkins

The Forestry Commission is party to semi-commercial development that could be devastating for our countryside. It should know better

There is something murky down in the forest. In 2010, the Cameron government was so shocked at the reaction to its planned privatisation of the Forestry Commission that it backed off. It said it had abandoned the whole idea. It lied. It just privatised in secret.

Plans have emerged of the commission’s proposals for Mortimer Forest outside Ludlow, an exquisite stre...