The Friends of Freeman’s Wood community group is inviting local residents to become a ‘square-holder’ in a community buy-out of the 27-acre Freeman’s Wood, an area that’s long been used by local people, a vital source of recreational space for the Marsh. It also supports a wide variety of wildlife, including deer.
Freeman’s Wood is a plot of land on the edge of Lancaster, used by local people for decades, who have regarded it as common land. But between November 2011 and January 2012, spiked metal fencing and “Warning – Keep Out” signs were installed around it by Lune Industrial Estate Ltd, a property investment company registered in Bermuda. Various tree houses were destroyed, along with a complex system of bike ramps which had been constructed by local people. The company later submitted a planning application for building 250 houses.
There was huge public outcry and coverage of the company’s action in both the local press, including virtual-lancaster, and, in 2016, The Guardian. The signs were rapidly and creatively defaced, and Lancaster City Council imposed a Tree Preservation Order on the site.
Local residents had enjoyed unobstructed access for many years, and the Friends of Coronation Field and Freeman’s Wood were able to prove this by collecting statements from walkers, dog-walkers, birdwatchers, BMX riders and other users of the land.
While the fence deterred access to Freeman’s Wood, it was not continuous, and gaps were created at various points, the land soon becoming well used by local people again, along well-trodden footpaths, and clear cycle paths. As a result, Lancashire County Council gave approval in principle to the designation of the three requested footpaths across it.
After a long campaign and a public inquiry, a large part of the woods was designated Town Green status in 2020, which means that it may not be built on, under current legislation.
However, it is still owned by the development company, and planning laws could change in the future. The Friends of Freeman’s Wood believe that it would be much safer in community ownership, and the good news is that the owners have accepted a community buyout offer of £50,000 plus legal costs, and the organisation are now inviting local residents to make a donation towards this, fundraising efforts supported by the Charities Aid Foundation.
“By owning the land as a community, we could make it a much better resource for local people and wildlife,” explains the group’s secretary, Emily Heath. “We would be able to protect it from development even if planning laws change, and apply for grants to fund improvements that are wanted by local residents.”
The Friends group is using the concept behind the ‘what3words’ app to divide the land into around 12,000 squares, each identified by a unique combination of three words.
Each square is three metres by three metres – about the size of a small room. ‘Square-holders’ who have the app on their phones will be able to find their sponsored squares very easily.
“We are asking members of the public to sponsor one or more squares.,” Emily explains. “Each square costs £5 – so twenty squares is £100 and an acre costs £2,250.
“All donations, big or small, are very welcome. Once all 12,000 squares have been sponsored, there will be enough money to buy the land.”
A consultation event will be held on Saturday 16th July 2022, from 2.00 – 5.00pm in a marquee on Coronation Field and committee member Eleanor Levin is keen local residents come along and find out more about the project.
“The Friends of Freeman’s Wood are hoping to talk to people of all ages and backgrounds about what you would like to see happening with Freeman’s Wood over the next 1-10 years,” she says. “We’ll lead guided walks around Freeman’s Wood, and there will be drinks and cakes for sale, with all proceeds going towards the purchase of the land.”
• Squares can be sponsored online here at www.lancastergreenspaces.org.uk/freemans-wood-purchase.html or cheques payable to ‘Friends of Freeman’s Wood’ can be sent to the FFW treasurer Simon Thomas at 37 Coverdale Road, Lancaster, LA1 5PY
• If you would like to be kept informed of how our community buyout is progressing, sign up to the Friends of Freeman’s Wood mailing list here. More information can be found on the Friends of Freeman’s Wood website and Facebook page