THE Government has been accused of “environmental vandalism” in its plans to sell off Forestry Commission woodlands and forests.

Mary Creagh, shadow environment secretary, made the accusation in a Commons debate on Wednesday.

Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to “listen to all the arguments” as thousands of people signed petitions against the sell-off.

Helen Goodman, Bishop Auckland MP, called for the plans to be abandoned and announced a protest Hands Off trek in Hamsterley Forest starting at the visitor centre on Saturday, February 26, at 11am.

Last weekend, a similar rally attracted more than 1,500 campaigners to Grizedale Forest in the Lake District where up to 40pc of the areas woodlands could be sold off under the plans.

On Monday, Caroline Spelman, environment secretary, said the proposals were to lease – not sell – and strong conditions would be attached.

She said the Forestry Commission had a conflict of interest in being both regulator and the largest seller of timber.

People would not allow such a situation if a utility company was both.

The National Farmers’ Union said it was not who owned national woodlands that mattered, but how they were managed.

It was concerned that management changes could adversely affect neighbouring farmland.

Meurig Raymond, NFU deputy president, said the proposed sale was controversial because woodlands were incredibly valuable assets – providing access and recreation through to resource protection and carbon absorption.

He said: “It needs to also reward the managers of these woodlands for the many services they provide.”

The Country Land and Business Association backed the privatisation but sounded a note of caution about how it should be done.

William Worsley, CLA president and Yorkshire landowner, said: “The CLA believes the state should not be directly engaged in commercial timber production.

“We would, however, be concerned if the commercial part of the estate were to be sold off as a single block or all at once. Either possibility risks distorting existing timber and land markets.”

The RSPB was “open-minded” about the proposals but wanted reassurances that native wildlife would be protected with strong safeguards to protect and enhance native woodland and lowland heath.

Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, was disappointed with a lack of commitment to restore damaged ancient woods.

She said: “If these sites are sold, the current proposals cannot guarantee their restoration, one of the most significant contributions to wildlife conservation in a generation.”