Arundel woodland could be sold off

The Forestry Commission owns 18 per cent of woodlands across the country, including Rewell Wood, but ministers hope to sell the land to the private sector, claiming it will increase public control.

A spokesman for 38 Degrees, which is leading the “Save our Forests” campaign, said: “They are national treasures and we are very worried that if our public woodlands are broken up and privatised, that would mean a significant reduction in both public access to the woodland and in the standards of care for the woodland wildlife that lives here.”

David Cameron has defended the proposals, which have attracted massive opposition, with tens of thousands of people signing a petition.

He said he was listening to “all the arguments”, and that the organisations such as the Woodland Trust would do a better job than the Forestry Commission.

A public consultation on the move is currently underway.