Since EHDC rejected the planning application to build a house in Rooks Wood (Thorley Lane East Woods) in May 2024 the applicant has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. All previous comments and objections have already been sent to them but if you wish to make a new comment please use the following link before 17th December 2024. https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3354622
As well as appealing, the owner has listed the entire woodland for sale at offers over £150,000. It does not mention that the woodland is in Green Belt, that it has a Woodland TPO protecting each and every tree, branch, leaf and root now and in the future, that it has special designation in the neighbourhood plan and the Forestry Commission too. Evidence of the original scope of the TPO is in our documents section. This woodland is indexed as W3 in the schedule and on the map too. The sale listing makes no reference to the protected wildlife that resides in or close to the woodland either.
Offers to purchase the woodland from the owner at a sensible price have been rejected and this outlandish idea that the woodland is worth anywhere near the sum being requested is outrageous. Anyone thinking it is worth upwards of £150k just has to look at the strength of constraints on the site and the previous applications to build within this precious green lung, that have all failed. All for the same reason, that this woodland is an inappropriate location for any building of any sort.
We will continue to ensure ALL relevant information is available to any prospective purchaser, for them to make their own mind up as to how valuable this woodland is.