ENVIRONMENT secretary Caroline Spelman has confirmed that the Government will controversial plans to sell thousands of acres of state-owned woodland.

The current consultation is expected to be halted later this week, with a new panel of experts set to look at public access and bio-diversity within the publicly owned woodland.

The proposals to offload 258,000 hectares run by the Forestry Commission have attracted cross-party criticism and a public outcry.

The original plans posed threat to the Sandings Forests in east Suffolk - including Rendlesham Forest - and Thetford Forest, which spreads over the Suffolk-Norfolk border.

Last week, Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey faced a barrage of criticism from livid forest users who viewed their concerns and angers over the controversial plans.

Hundreds of protesters turned out in force to voice their strong opposition to the Government’s proposals, at the meeting held at Rendlesham Community Centre.

Simon Leatherdale, who is a professional forester and has also worked for the Forestry Commission for 35 years, previously branded the consultation as a “mockery”

The plans were intended to give the private sector, community and charitable groups greater involvement in woodlands by encouraging a “mixed model” of ownership. But critics argued that it could threaten public access, bio-diversity and result in the forests being used for unsuitable purposes.

David Cameron hinted that he was backing away from the policy during prime minister’s questions.