Environment secretary Caroline Spelman has unveiled the government's aims for the future of England's woodlands as part of a new consultation document.

Under the proposals, heritage and community forests could be transferred to the ownership of charitable organisations in order to protect their public benefits. Community and civil society groups will have the chance to buy or lease woodlands, while commercially valuable forests could be leased to commercial operators.

The plans, which comprise 18 per cent of woodlands run by the Forestry Commission, are based on the government's belief that no single ownership model is "appropriate". Spelman said: "We want to move from a 'Big Government' approach to a 'Big Society' one, so that we can give different groups the opportunity to be involved in managing the natural environment."

However, the National Trust and the Woodland Trust have both called for the government to ensure that measures are put in place to protect public access. The National Trust has outlined three principals that it said should guide any disposals, while the Woodland Trust has warned that current safeguards will need to be revamped.

Image: Duncliffe - Woodland Trust