As many people will be aware, Forestry England have recently published a document entitled “Cannop Ponds: The Next Chapter – January 2023”
This presentation sets out the background to this ongoing issue and the options that are available to Forestry England. You can read it for yourself here.
I have read over this document very carefully.
I have noted that Forestry England have said:
“No decision has yet been taken on the course of action at Cannop Ponds; we [Forestry England] are very much in an evidence/information gathering phase so that we [Forestry England] can determine what will provide the best medium and long-term outcome for the Forest.”
However, as I said in my open letter to residents of 23rd August 2022, based on what I know, I can see no good reason for doing away with what is a much loved beauty spot.
On this, my view remains the same.
In addition to this recently published document, Forestry England has set out in a press release the details of public engagement events that they will be holding. I have copied those details below.
“Forestry England will be holding eight public engagement sessions across two days in March, with a virtual option for those unable to attend.
The sessions, on Tuesday March 21 and Thursday March 30 at Speech House Hotel, will enable the public to come in person and record their views on the several potential ideas for the future of Cannop Ponds.
The engagement sessions will each last around an hour and will take the format of a presentation and a Q&A, as well as time for attendees to look at visual representations of potential futures for the site and give their feedback on the many different options.
The event will be by ticket only to manage numbers. Tickets for all sessions are available to book here.
For those unable to attend, an online version of the presentation and visual representations will be available to view with the chance to submit comments as those who attended the in-person sessions would have. Online links for this will be shared in March.”
I would encourage any of my constituents who have a view about this matter to read the consultation and attend one of the events.