Michael Fabricant has joined Aidan Burley, the MP for Cannock Chase, in calls to give the forest ‘Heritage Status’. Michael says: "Although there is no question of forests being sold off by the Government – they will be leased with strict conditions regarding access and regeneration – Cannock Chase deserves the additional status of being designated a ‘Heritage’ forest.

"Parts of the Chase have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It ought to be treated in the same way as the Forest of Dean and Sherwood Forest both of which will be ‘Heritage’ forests." Michael will be writing to Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, regarding this.