Although Widbrook Wood is near Bradford – by the canal behind the Beehive – much of it is in Holt parish.

An application to list the woodland has been made by Bradford residents.  However WC claim the land can’t be listed for legal reasons.  Here’s their statement:

“Having considered all the information and submissions provided, following the nomination of Widbrook Wood to be listed as an Asset of Community Value, Wiltshire Council has decided not to enter the property onto the list of Assets of Community Value.

The asset has been entered into a list of unsuccessful nominations, maintained online at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningcommunityrighttobid.htm#relateddocuments.

This decision has been taken because the Registered Title comprises a residence with land connected with that residence; the land and the residence are owned by a single owner; every part of the land within the Registered Title can be reached from the residence without having to cross land which is not owned by that single owner; the land the subject of the Nomination falls wholly within the registered Title.

The land within the Registered Title (and accordingly the land subject of the nomination) falls within the provision of Schedule 1 to the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012 as land which is not of community value and therefore may not be listed.”

However the organisers of the attempt to get the woodland registered are not disheartened.  Discussions have taken place with the new owner of the woods, who is happy to continue managing them for nature and allowing public access.

There’s also a Facebook ‘page’ for the Friends of Widbrook Wood, and a Facebook ‘group’ where anyone can post about wildlife at any site across west Wiltshire.