News / Blackswarth Road Wood

Protection order granted for woodland sold at auction

By Ellie Pipe  Monday Mar 18, 2024

An order has been granted to protect wildlife and biodiversity across a five-acre woodland that was bought by a mystery bidder.

A community effort to buy Blackswarth Road Wood was thwarted in September when a buyer known only as ‘Mrs A’ paid £245,000 for the sloped land overlooking Crews Hole.

While construction on the mature woodland site is unlikely, the ‘for sale’ sign by Hollis Morgan mentions the potential for residential development, “subject to conditions”.

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The team from Protect Earth, and dozens who had raised money in an attempt to buy the site for the community, were left bitterly disappointed when their efforts to safeguard its future failed.

Some six months down the line and the identity of ‘Mrs A’ remains unknown but local wildlife conservationists have welcomed the decision by Bristol City Council officers to grant a Woodland Tree Preservation Order for Blackswarth Road Wood.

The order, which covers the five-acre woodland site and adjoining plots of land, was applied for by Friends of Troopers Hill and means the owner must apply to the council for permission before carrying out any works to cut down, uproot, lop or destroy a tree in any way.

Welcoming the news, Susan Acton-Campbell, chair of Friends of Troopers Hill, said: “I was really pleased with the thorough way the Bristol City Council tree officer evaluated the Friends of Troopers Hill request for a Woodland Tree Preservation Order for Blackswarth Road Wood.

“He was extremely thorough and the area now given this protection not only includes the five-acre area of woodland that was sold in September, but also adjoining complementary pieces of land.

“We still don’t know the identity of the new owner but we do hope ‘Mrs A’ will be in touch soon. We would like to discuss how we can work together to benefit the wildlife and  biodiversity of this wildlife corridor in the Avon Valley Conservation Area that links Conham River Park, Troopers Hill and Blackswarth Road Wood.”

The owner of the land will have until April 12 to object to or support the order.

Blackswarth Road Wood, which was bought by a mystery bidder in September, has been granted an order to protect wildlife and biodiversity on the site – photo: Hollis Morgan

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

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