Residents voice concerns over sale of woodland
A CARDIFF councillor and residents have expressed their concerns after a popular green space was found for sale on property website Rightmove.
The woodland, at The Hawthorns in Pentwyn, is used by residents for leisure, walks and cutting through to other areas quicker – it is for sale at £5,000.
Residents fear that if the woodland is bought, it could potentially be shut off to the public who rely on it – or the buyer will be unable to maintain the extremely flood-prone woodland correctly.
Emma Sandrey, who is the Liberal Democrat councillor for the area, was browsing Rightmove when she saw the advert for the auction starting on December 7.
Cllr Sandrey said: “This woodland is not only beautiful, but it’s also functional. I know myself and other residents rely on the woodland a lot – especially during lockdown where many went for walks or runs along there.
“The woodland is essential for residents to get to school, shops, playgrounds and they use it to walk their dogs and enjoy nature.”
Cllr Sandrey says the land is unlikely to get planning permission as the area is prone to flooding and holds a group Tree Preservation Order, but that doesn’t end all residents’ concerns.
She said: “I am more concerned about the conservation of the area as a green space and public right of way.
“The area has flooded in the past and affected nearby homes so needs to be looked after correctly. I would prefer the land going to the community rather than a developer. We could set up a organisation to buy the land – but it would take longer than the short time frame of the auction.
“I think the obvious solution is that the council should buy the land. The person who buys it may not have wrong intentions but it’s something the council should be interested in – especially when they talk about preserving trees and green spaces.”
Rightmove revealed although it will be ‘extremely difficult’ to get any planning permission to build any large buildings, there is ‘all sorts of uses to the woodland before development’ and the buyer is likely to be granted permission to build a cabin, benches or other minor developments.
Rightmove also said there are established public rights of way that can not be changed, but the buyer can segregate a small private area for themselves, given it is not on a public footpath.
Barbara Willcocks has lived in the area since 1981. The woodland is right at the end of her street, Hollybush Road. She frequently visits the area to pick up litter.
She said: “There is so much wildlife in the woodlands. We have trout and heron in the stream and kingfishers now and again. Children paddle their feet in the streams, cycle through it and go berry picking.
“It is tough to maintain and protect it. When it rains, debris comes down the river from miles and miles away – you get rubbish and bits of trees building up.
“People fly-tip there and last year, a huge branch with a bees nest fell down from a tree and we had to close off the whole bridge.
“The area regularly floods in the winter to the extent of water flowing through the underpass at roof level.
“We’re all just wondering what could potentially happen to it. The person who buys it may not know the area and think it’s a nice idea to put seating there, but that might make the litter problem even worse as kids would congregate there.”
Barbara says ‘ideally the council should buy it’ after so much work has been done to maintain the area.
She said: “I know they can’t close off the public footpaths in front of houses but we are concerned more about the condition of the woodland.”
The council have since assured residents they are looking to purchase the land.
Councillor Russel Goodway, who is the Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, said: “I have asked my officials to proactively pursue the acquisition of this land by a private treaty in advance of the scheduled auction on December 7.
“I will take advice from my officials on the appropriate course of action.
“I’m not in a position to provide further information.”
A spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said: “One of our roles is to manage flood risk from main rivers in Wales.
“Our river maintenance work helps us to manage this risk and includes activities such as maintaining flood defences, removing obstructions and build-up of silt and gravel, and controlling vegetation growth in the channel on the banks.
“Landowners can carry out certain river maintenance activities themselves, but they should contact us to check if they need permission and how to apply if they do.
“People can also report blocked main watercourses that might pose a risk of flooding by calling us on 03000 65 3000.”