NEW Forest Conservative MPs Desmond Swayne and Dr Julian Lewis are taking opposing stances over the transfer of the area’s forest and woodlands to a charitable trust.

New Forest West constituency MP Mr Swayne favours the sale of Forestry Commission woodlands and forests.

But Dr Lewis spoke out against Defra’s proposals in Parliament.

He asked in the Commons what charity could shoulder the £2.9m deficit of running the forest.

That morning, mourners at a funeral had urged him to speak against the plans in the afternoon debate, he said.

“The Forestry Commission is not just about commerce or timber; it is also about conservation and disease control,” he said.

He said the plans were not in any manifesto and he did not want the coalition to “get the reputation of being the Party of Nasty Surprises”.

Mr Swayne has experienced “a torrent of hostile emails” over his support but does not share his correspondents’ “passion for state control”.

“What is really important is the establishment of forceful legal safeguards and guarantees to protect public amenity and access, along with biodiversity and habitats,” he said.

He told the House he doesn’t want to see an organisation like the National Trust - with a national strategy and vision – in control of the forest.