MPs have defended plans to dispose of Britain’s publicly-owned forests and woodlands despite coming under pressure from a wave of constituents opposing the scheme.

Aidan Burley (Con, Cannock Chase) and Mark Garnier (Con, Wyre Forest) said they had been inundated by letters and e-mails objecting to plans to dispose of land owned by the Forestry Commission.

They include Wyre Forest in Worcestershire, one of the largest remaining woodlands in Britain at 6,000 acres, and Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which could also be sold or handed to a private charity.

The chase is known for its open heath land and pine forest, and its mining and military history which stretches back hundreds of years.

Environment Secretary and Meriden MP Caroline Spelman is publishing a series of proposals for consultation, including placing some of the land in ownership of charitable trusts rather than for-profit companies.

Commercial woodland which is used for timber is expected to be sold to industry. Mr Burley said he was pressing Ms Spelman to ensure Cannock Chase was protected.

He added: “I will continue to lobby for the chase at the highest level, to ensure that the special protections it enjoys as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) remain in place.

“In terms of ownership of the chase, and the potential effect on it of future reforms, it is important to remember that much of the land, while unenclosed, is already privately owned.

‘‘Portions of the chase, which was gifted to an ancestor of the Marquess of Anglesey by Henry VIII, have long since been sold or disposed into various private hands, including several charitable trusts.”

Mr Garnier said putting forestry in private ownership would not mean it was inaccessible to the public.

He added: “As I understand it, it is irrelevant who owns it. The laws governing right of way apply either way.

“The second big question is whether it will remain as forest at all.

“But the answer to that is that there are also acts of Parliament which ensure it will.

“So the fact that the ownership may change at the Land Registry doesn’t affect the ability of people to enjoy the forest.”

The plans have sparked a wave of national protest, with celebrities including artist Tracey Emin, model Lily Cole and actor Richard E Grant urging the Government to reconsider by signing a letter organised by the Save England’s Forests campaign.

And the Woodland Trust has warned that selling sites without a radical overhaul of current safeguards would spell disaster for England’s oldest and most iconic woods, regardless of who owns them in the future.

Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: “New, tougher safeguards must be in place for our oldest and most iconic woods before any ‘For Sale’ signs are erected.

‘‘We urgently need to move this debate on, away from its current focus on changes in future ownership to one which recognises that the protection of our ancient woods is the real issue.”

A Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “We will consult on our proposals ... and will invite interest from a wide range of potential private and civil society partners on a number of new ownership options and the means to secure public benefits.

‘‘No decisions have been taken on any particular sites.

“We will not compromise the protection of our most valuable and biodiverse forests.

‘‘The Forestry Commission has and will play an important role in protecting and expanding the trees, woods and forests in England,” the spokesman said.