It’s official! Box Wood is an Asset of Community Value…

The Save Box Wood campaigners have received further confirmation that the status of Box Wood is an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

It is our understanding that the new leaseholders of Box Wood sought to remove the ACV which had been put in place by Friends of Fairlands Valley Farm, and as a result a review meeting was held by East Herts District Council.

The council’s response confirms the designation of Box Wood as an Asset of Community Value and was delivered on the 11th December 2020.

As reported on the Friends of Box Wood Facebook group, several auctioneers are currently marketing a variety of ‘plots’ within the precious woodland.

We understand that the council’s decision means that the new leaseholders, confirmed as SIPP Investments Ltd, will be unable to complete sales of plots without notification to East Herts District Council.

Should that happen, an initial 6-week moratorium would be applied during which community groups, may have an opportunity to lodge an expression of interest.

We consider the woodland to be of significant ecological value and of huge benefit to the health and well being of the communities of Walkern, North and East Stevenage and Great Ashby. And the scheduled monument of ancient Box is a site of particular special importance.

We’d like to thank the officers at East Herts, Cllr Kenneth Crofton in whose ward the site lies and everyone who has contributed to helping us research the site over the past months or made representations to East Herts.

Further information about ACV can be found on the mycommunity.org.uk website and on the Council’s website at: eastherts.gov.uk/community-wellbeing/assets-community-value-overview