SIXTEEN forests in Buckinghamshire could be leased or sold under controversial plans announced by the Government.

A long list of star names including Dame Judi Dench have spoken out against the move by the Coalition, which expects to generate £100m by selling 15 per cent of the public forest estate during this Parliamentary term.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has launched a public consultation on the remaining 85 per cent of woodlands – which could raise another £250m over ten years.

There is about 1585 hectares or seven square miles of woodlands in Bucks owned and managed by The Forestry Commission.

The forests include Hodgemoor, near to Chalfont St. Giles, Weedonhill and Lotts Wood, west of Amersham, and Wendover Woods.

These forests include a range of habitats from open water and heathland to newly planted woodlands and ancient oak forests.

More than 75 per cent of these forests are open to the public.

In total, however, only 18 per cent of England's woodlands are owned by the commission.

Under the Government's proposals heritage and community forests will be protected by inviting charitable organisations to take on ownership or management.

Opportunities will be created for community and civil society groups to buy or lease forests, while 'commercially valuable' forests will be leased to commercial operators.

The Woodland Trust has attacked the proposals and launched its campaign to Save England's Ancient Forests.

Trust Chief Executive Sue Holden said: "Ancient woodland is the UK’s equivalent of the rainforest.

“New, tougher safeguards must be in place for our oldest and most iconic woods before any 'For Sale' signs are erected.

“If ancient woods were buildings they would be protected to the highest grading.

"But natural heritage is not afforded the same importance, despite the fact many ancient woodland sites date back far beyond that of the built environment."

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman insisted public access will be maintained and biodiversity protected.

She said:“State control of forests dates back to the First World War, when needs were very different.

“There’s now no reason for the Government to be in the business of timber production and forest management.

She said it was time for the Government "to step back".

“We want to move from a ‘Big Government’ approach to a ‘Big Society’ one, so that we can give different groups – individuals, businesses and civil society organisations – the opportunity to be involved in managing the natural environment,” she said.