Freeman's Wood, Lancaster
This 27.4 acre site is close to the Lune estuary on the west side of the city – next to the Lune Industrial Estate, Coronation Field recreation ground, and Freeman’s Pools nature reserve. It was once a tip for the Williamson lino factory, which was later grassed over to provide football and cricket pitches for the factory workers. It is now mainly woodland, with a large open space in the middle.
Several decades ago, the site was bought by developers. They erected a large metal fence and ‘no trespassing’ signs around most of the perimeter in 2011/12, and later submitted a planning application for building 250 houses. However, 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. After a long campaign and a public inquiry, a large part of the woods was designated Town Green status in 2020. This 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. We believe that it would be much safer in community ownership.
The owners have accepted a community buyout offer of £50,000 plus legal costs, and we are now inviting you to make a donation towards this. See our fundraising page for details.
Once the purchase costs have been secured, grant funding will be sought to improve access to the site (for walking and other recreational uses consistent with the legal status of a Town Green - not motorised vehicles).
There will be a full consultation once community ownership is secured, so that this land is preserved and improved to serve the local community and wildlife. We thank everyone who has contributed to protecting Freeman's Wood.
Several decades ago, the site was bought by developers. They erected a large metal fence and ‘no trespassing’ signs around most of the perimeter in 2011/12, and later submitted a planning application for building 250 houses. However, 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. After a long campaign and a public inquiry, a large part of the woods was designated Town Green status in 2020. This 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. We believe that it would be much safer in community ownership.
The owners have accepted a community buyout offer of £50,000 plus legal costs, and we are now inviting you to make a donation towards this. See our fundraising page for details.
Once the purchase costs have been secured, grant funding will be sought to improve access to the site (for walking and other recreational uses consistent with the legal status of a Town Green - not motorised vehicles).
There will be a full consultation once community ownership is secured, so that this land is preserved and improved to serve the local community and wildlife. We thank everyone who has contributed to protecting Freeman's Wood.
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