Campaigners considering next move as treasured woodland in north Shropshire town set for sale

Damson Wood in Market Drayton was named an asset of community value earlier this year.

The status gives valid community groups the chance to register an interest if that ‘asset’ is put up for sale.

The group has now revealed that Shropshire Council has alerted it to the fact that the wood is being placed on the market by its owners.

A letter said the council has received notification that the landowner intends to dispose of the asset through a sale of the freehold.

Valid campaign groups now have five weeks to register an interest to buy the land with the council; if no group comes forward, the landowner can proceed to sell the site.

If a valid request is received the group would have six months to come up with the cash to buy the land.

A post from the Save Damson Wood group on social media said it would be considering the implications of the development - and urged residents to read the council’s letter outlining the next steps.

It said: “We have today received this very important notice from Shropshire Council that the current land owners are to dispose of the ‘land at Longford Turning (also known as Damson Wood) through a sale of the freehold!

“There is a lot to consider and while we are digesting it, it’s extremely important you, the community, understand it too!”

A previous planning application for the site was refused in 2024.

In 2023 plans to create a formal area of public woodland near Tern Valley Business Park on the outskirts of Market Drayton were submitted by the Healey Estate.

The application was part of wider plans to expand the business park and build three homes on part of the land adjacent, known locally as Damson Wood.

The developers argued that with a change of use from private land to public, the proposal "would provide a secure long-term option for the provision of open space in this part of Market Drayton".

But local residents kicked back at the plans, arguing that the 'new' woodland would come at the expense of the well-used beauty spot Damson Wood.

Shropshire Council planning officers said the proposals "are considered to constitute over-development of the site due to the adverse impact on the existing woodland" and said the "significant loss of semi-mature trees" would be "unacceptable".