Sirs,

Writing as a former resident of Marlborough I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by both Nick Maurice & The Earl of Cardigan opposing such a commercial approach to this shared forest landscape. I was appalled to read the proposal from the Forestry Commission to corral Savernake Forest visitors to a Postern Hill visitor centre with the ludicrous justification that it would reduce anti-social behaviour. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Having seen what happened to Westonbirt Arboretum a couple of decades ago when the Forestry Commission decided to “sweat its assets” turning a wonderful quiet retreat into a crowded commercial jamboree, the same organisation obviously wants to do the same with Savernake Forest. If they do, they will desecrate a local resource & destroy what little peace & quiet people using the forest currently enjoy.

The proposal has all the cynical & callous hallmarks that the Forestry Commission exhibited in 2010. This was when the Conservative government of David Cameron tried to sell off all of England’s woodlands. It was only through public outcry that this previous proposal was quashed. There needs to be a similar outcry over this “Disneyfication” of Savernake Forest.

Yours,

Peter Cairns
Former Marlborough resident and Town Councillor

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