Coombe Update: Land Sale

‍A unique opportunity has arisen to protect the future of The Coombes.

The Coombes woodland used to consist of two areas, each with a separate private owner. At that time, people had felt free to walk through the entire area, most of them probably being unaware that it was anything other than a public amenity.

The smaller 16 acre part changed hands in 2018 and was then resold as small plots, changing the character of the land and losing the feeling of freedom. Now the owners of the remaining 60 acres also wish to sell.

The woodland is heavily protected against development. It is entirely covered by all species Tree Preservation Orders and designated as a Local Wildlife Site and a Local Geological Site. Additionally, Natural England has registered most of it as Ancient Woodland.

To retain The Coombes as a public amenity, and also to ensure that it is well looked after, Arborfield & Newland and Barkham Parish Councils are working together to try and purchase the land.

When development takes place within the borough, the developers have to make contributions to a fund for providing or improving local infrastructure. This is known as a Community Infrastructure Levy, or CIL. The purchase and ongoing maintenance of amenity woodland qualifies as an acceptable use of CIL funds and these would be used for the purchase and upkeep of The Coombes.

Having received valuations for land that is as heavily protected against development as the Coombes is, and expert advice on how best to preserve it as a wildlife habitat, the two Parish Councils are moving ahead with an offer to purchase the land.

More details were provided in the ‘Wild About The Coombes’ article in the Spring BVRA Newsletter, which is attached. 

If you wish to comment on the proposed purchase of The Coombes land then please email your comments to development@barkham.org.uk. Comments will be shared anonomously with Barkham Parish Council.

Kind Regards
BVRA 

‍Please note all previous DevWatch alerts can be viewed on the BVRA website at https://www.barkham.org.uk/index.php/devwatch

WBC is an abbreviation for Wokingham Borough Council

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