Recreation Strategy - Letter from Chief Executive

This consultation has closed and is retained on this site for information purposes only.

Dear Consultee

Developing The Recreational And Social Use of Forest Service Forests

I enclose a draft strategy document outlining our proposals to develop the recreational and social use of our forests.  This is a commitment given in the Northern Ireland Forestry Strategy – A Strategy for Sustainability and Growth – published in March 2006.  A key element of the strategy is the development of partnership arrangements with public and private sector organisations to realise improvements to existing facilities and introduce new facilities.  

You are invited to comment on the draft strategy by Friday, 6 February 2009 at the latest.  The draft strategy includes a number of consultation questions and we would welcome your views not only on the specific issues raised but also any more general comments you may wish to make. Please send your comments to:

Mr David Small
Chief Executive, Forest Service
Room 36
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast BT4 3SB
Telephone –028 90524463
Textphone –028 9052 4420
Fax –028 9052 4570

Included with this mailing is a supplementary letter from Ben Searle.  This pre-consultation letter seeks initial views on key equality issues that Forest Service needs to consider when preparing a draft Equality Impact Assessment. The letter explains how you should respond. The draft Equality Impact Assessment will be prepared for separate consultation at a later date.

At the end of the consultation period, copies of all comments received may be made available on the Forest Service/DARD website unless respondents request otherwise.

The draft strategy and pre-consultation letter can also be accessed at www.forestserviceni.gov.uk in the Consultations section on the homepage.  We will consider requests to provide key information in alternate formats and any such request should be made to:

Joan Moulden
Corporate Services, Forest Service
Room 34, Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
BELFAST
BT4 3SB
Tel 028 90524821

Yours faithfully,

David Small

Chief Executive