Woodland worry (From Free Press Series)

Woodland worry

VILLAGERS in Catbrook have hit out at the sale of a local woodland, which could divided up and sold to well-off city dwellers for recreational use.

A public meeting will be held at the end of this month by concerned residents about the sale of approximately 30 acres of woods between Broadstone and Catbrook, to a land speculator based in London.

The privately-owned woods have been purchased by Woodland Investment Management who now intend to subdivide the area into smaller plots and put them up for re-sale to private buyers.

Residents are concerned that this could lead to inappropriate activities taking place at the site.

Although the website for Woodland Investment Management makes it clear that people buying plots are unlikely to get planning permission to build houses in woods, it says purchasers can leave behind caravans and shipping containers or put up 'shelters'.

Plot owners are also told that they can build campfires and barbecues and organise celebrations in the woods.

Resident Colonel Brian Ruddy said: "We do not know what will happen with the wood, all we have is information from the website for the firm.

"When they talk about subdividing it and tell people they can put a caravan on site or if they want to store things use steel ship containers or talk about lighting bonfires, when the last thing you should do in a wood is light a bonfire, we are concerned.

"We are not concerned the woods are changing hands, but we are concerned there is a change of use here."

Monmouth AM David Davies added: "There is no suggestion that the company have done anything illegal but clearly there is a worry that those who buy plots of woodland may not be familiar with the planning guidelines.

"I have contacted the Local Authority to let them know of the fears for the future of these woods and to ask them to take immediate action if any planning breaches take place."

However, Woodland Investment Management Ltd say they offer small plots to families and individuals to be managed as a conservation hobby and recommend activities that will not be disruptive to the local community.

Natalie Broughton, a representative from the central England area who is handling the project, said: "We are not quite sure why there are objections, although they formed a consortium and bid to purchase the land, but we bid higher.

"These days children cannot simply go and play in a park and build a den as they used to, so we purchase woodland and make it into smaller areas of woodland so that families can afford to buy them. They can go camping their knowing their kids are safe in three acres of woodland."

A public meeting will take place at Catbrook Memorial Hall on August 24.