Sheffield wildlife site sold for development

Despite great efforts, a community group in Sheffield has failed to secure the future of a muchloved local woodland. Bolehill Woods is a 2.4 acre natural habitat, home to bluebells, wild cherry trees, badgers and pipistrelle bats, situated just a short distance from the Peak District. In January it was put up for sale and locals formed a community group, Friends of Bolehill Wood, in order to save it.

Despite raising funds and bidding £67,000 to buy and save the land, it was instead sold to AMGR Property Management Limited for just £1,000 more. AMGR says it has no immediate plans to build on the land, but has told the Friends of Bolehill Wood that it hopes to use an area for development in the future. “The campaign goes on,” says Chris Robinson, a director of the Friends group, “We cannot and will not stand by and see this invaluable woodland habitat destroyed.”

By Kate Beeden

Find out more: friends ofcobnarwood.org

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More than 400 people donated money to help save Bolehill Wood for the local community and its resident wildlife, but were outbid at auction