The City of London Corporation, which manages Epping Forest, is calling on local groups to join a new consultative committee for the site.

The committee will be a new open forum where Epping Forest management and policy issues can be discussed with representative user groups from across the Forest.

Its views will feed into the City Corporation’s the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, which makes decisions about Forest policy.

16 local groups will be selected to sit on the committee*, which will be Chaired by Philip Woodhouse, Chairman of the City Corporation’s the Epping Forest and Commons Committee.

Representatives on the new consultative committee will be drawn from groups from across the community with a specific interest in the heritage, recreation and conservation of the Forest. The committee will meet regularly and will be open to the public.

Philip Woodhouse, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, said:

“Epping Forest has always benefited from a wide range of user groups with a real knowledge and interest in the ancient woodland.

“We want to make sure that Epping Forest continues to be managed in an open and inclusive way. This new forum will be a great opportunity for all of us to share ideas which can improve our enjoyment of the Forest.”

Epping Forest user groups that want to nominate a representative for the new Consultative Committee should contact Epping Forest Business Manager Jo Hurst on Jo.Hurst@cityoflondon.gov.uk or 020 8532 5317.

Epping Forest is London and Essex’s largest green space, attracting over 4.5 million visits every year. It has over 1 million trees, some of which are up to 1,000 years old – including 50,000 ancient pollards of Beech, Hornbeam and Oak. The ancient woodland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

The City of London Corporation already has a number of long-standing arrangements under which the views of local people are sought on Epping Forest policy. Under the Epping Forest Act 1878, four Epping Forest Verderers are elected locally to sit on the City Corporation’s the Epping Forest and Commons Committee. There has been extensive public consultation on management plans and the City Corporation meets regularly with publicly elected councillors from neighbouring boroughs Redbridge, Waltham Forest and Epping Forest District Council.

The City of London Corporation manages over 11,000 acres of green space across London and south east England, including Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath and Burnham Beeches, with many of its sites designated National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest for their unique ecology and rare plant species.

-Ends-

Media enquiries

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 0738 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to editors

* If more applications of interest are received, the Epping Forest and Commons Committee will make a selection based on size of membership, geographical area and theme of interest in the forest.

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.