Save Delamere Forest action group to step up their battle against potential sale of Cheshire beauty spot

Feb 17 2011 by Gary Porter, Chester Chronicle

CAMPAIGNERS will step up their battle to stop Delamere Forest from being sold off despite the Government putting any potential sale on hold.

Save Delamere Forest action group says it is still pressing ahead with plans for a demonstration at the beauty spot on Sunday, March 20.

The Government has announced that the sale of 40,000 hectares of England’s publicly-owned forests has been halted until a review aimed at increasing the protection for public access has taken place.

But Delamere Parish Council chairman Robin Ackerley, who is spearheading the campaign, says forest users must continue voicing their opposition to keep up the pressure.

He said: “The general feeling is we’ve got them a bit worried, but I don’t think we can sit back and think it’s all solved.

“It’s not over, the problems and dangers remain.

“We’ve got the rally on March 20 and we’re trying to make it more than just a protest.

“We want to turn it into a family event as Delamere Forest is a place that families visit.”

Campaigners gathered at the beauty spot on Saturday to be interviewed by BBC News as they continue to raise awareness of the issue.

And Mr Ackerley has revealed that he will write to legendary mountaineer Sir Chris Bonnington, who is publicly opposed to the sale of the country’s forests, asking him to speak at next month’s rally.

“If we could get a name like that it would be a real coup,” he explained. “He has a real interest in the forests.”

The rally will start at 1pm with campaigners gathering at Whitefield car park before heading to the concert area at the foot of Old Pale. For details visit www.savedelamereforest.co.uk