Selling The Wrekin in eight separate lots rather than as a whole would  be a major step backwards for the management of this vital piece of  Shropshire’s heritage, according to local guardians of the landmark, All Friends  Round The Wrekin.

Reacting to the publication of the new sale prospectus by FPD Savills on behalf of the Orleton Estate last week, the campaign group expressed its dismay at the prospect of The Wrekin being sold-off piecemeal to  so-called ‘amenity woodland’ buyers.

“It’s distressing to see our cherished friend being carved into pieces  and offered for sale like so much firewood,” said AFRTW chairman, George Chancellor. “I can’t see how anyone could possibly consider this in its best interests.

“Adding another eight owners to the five or more already involved with  The Wrekin and its immediate area would make joined-up conservation  management so much more difficult. And what if the separate owners wanted to  fence-off their own land ? This would seriously restrict the open access so many  of us have enjoyed for so long, as well as hampering vital wildlife movements.

“The prospect of several new landowners separately exploiting what the  sale particulars describe as the land’s amenity and sporting as well as  timber investment potential doesn’t bear thinking about either,” he continued. “Thankfully, though, we’re sure it won’t be easy to find buyers for the land, even when divided up into eight so-called ‘manageable’ lots. Especially not with the extensive protections from development they all enjoy by virtue of The Wrekin’s many national and regional designations.

“Nor, will amenity woodland buyers necessarily be attracted by the high public profile and accessibility of the land, with all its inherent difficulties and liabilities,” George Chancellor added. “The individual lots, all accessed from the main, much used, public right of way,  certainly don’t qualify as the sort of quiet, hidden-away pieces of English  woodland that really attract today’s amenity buyers.”

All Friends Round The Wrekin is fervently hoping these barriers serve to deter outside buyers sufficiently to ensure The Wrekin is not split-up  in the way currently proposed. If a sale to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust proves impossible, it sees the best option for all concerned as the withdrawal of the land from sale.

“Surely, it’s not asking too much for the Trust and the Estate to sit  down together and sort out the best way forward for the common good,” George Chancellor suggested.

“If a sale to the public isn’t possible, there have to be other more creative, mutually-beneficial ways the two parties can agree to  safeguard its future. The Wrekin deserves better than to be treated like any  ordinary piece of private land, for sale to the highest bidders.” # Posted by Jenny Smith at 28/10/04; 5:16:12 PM
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Some thoughts on the split of the Wrekin into 8 lots for sale