For what reasons do people buy woodland?

baser999

Once saw a programme about someone that had bought a small area of woodland simply to enjoy it - they could go to it anytime, walk, they’d built a little hut in which they could hang out when the weather was a bit indifferent. Sounded wonderful. 

Apart from that, I believe there were tax incentives available many years ago 

lika_86

I'd love to buy woodland one day. The dream would be to own a house with land and its own woodland but they're fewer and further between and obviously generally come with a hefty price tag. But a little bit of my own woodland in which to camp and generally spend time amongst the trees would be lovely.

user1977

Brie said:

To stop development?

If the land has any real potential for development, I very much doubt they'd be flogging off portions of it to the gullible investors.

BobT36

oystercatcher said:

Someone I know has bought some similar land , put up secure fencing and uses it as a safe place to visit to allow their (several) dogs roam freely and safely. They also take their caravan there occaisionally for holidays . I believe there are rules about length of stay but up to 28 days is allowed .

Rules around staying on your own land??

user1977

BobT36 said:

oystercatcher said:

Someone I know has bought some similar land , put up secure fencing and uses it as a safe place to visit to allow their (several) dogs roam freely and safely. They also take their caravan there occaisionally for holidays . I believe there are rules about length of stay but up to 28 days is allowed .

Rules around staying on your own land??

If the land doesn’t have planning permission for residential use, of course.

Dustyevsky

BobT36 said:

oystercatcher said:

Someone I know has bought some similar land , put up secure fencing and uses it as a safe place to visit to allow their (several) dogs roam freely and safely. They also take their caravan there occaisionally for holidays . I believe there are rules about length of stay but up to 28 days is allowed .

Rules around staying on your own land??

Unless there is a relevant covenant, camping on your own woodland is 'allowed' 28 days in any year. Around my way, that allowance has extended to several years in a number of locations. Eventually, the LA steps in, and the persons concerned sell and move on, meanwhile having dodged the rent and taxes the rest of us pay. It can work out very MSE, provided the 'campers' don't mind roughing it! Land never seems to fall in value.

Woodland may be created, of course, and there might be grants for tree planting, which is encouraged by those who value wildlife, perhaps more than the supply of food. Some of us feel strongly that good land should be used for food production, but there's nothing wrong with wilding marginal land or turning it into woods. Poor soil and steep slopes are reasons why much existing woodland came into being. 

We have a few acres and planted trees on the steep or awkwardly-shaped parts just over 10 years ago. We kept the main field areas because they add the most value to the property. The woodland we planted now needs thinning, so there's a ready supply of fuel for the wood burner. It's not worth a fortune, but it's nice to have some measure of self-sufficiency in keeping warm. There's also a potential development site next door, and maintaining privacy is another good reason for buying woodland or planting trees.

RHemmings

Thanks to everyone who posted here. Very interesting conversation with a number of points that I didn't expect. I'm currently in a hotel waiting for a flight but I will catch up with a proper response once in a more stable situation. 

Just some quick replies:

I also have had a pipe-dream to have such a bit of land, particularly with a proper stream running through it with wildlife. But, the reality gets in the way. 

In my dream I wouldn't fence it off but would leave it accessible for everyone. But, again, the reality of liability raises its head (as it has before.) In reality I'm probably much better off contributing time and financial support to publicly managed land. I don't really want exclusivity. Being able to camp in a bit of land would be nice - campsites aren't so wild though I wonder if I search if I'll find something. 

As I live in a built-up area, I'm not sure I could burn wood from such a piece of land. Though, being self-sufficient for warmth would be something that I would greatly appreciate. Great to hear of @Dustyevsky's ownership of a piece of land and the use thereof. 

Stopping development is something I could appreciate, and when I considered (more seriously, but it doesn't work out) buying a small parcel of land within the city bounds, that was on my mind. But, again, perhaps the better way forward is to selectively embrace NIMBYism. 

Again, shooting rights is something I never thought of. Not the kind of thing I would do. 

MobileSaver

RHemmings said:

In my dream I wouldn't fence it off but would leave it accessible for everyone.

A noble gesture but I suspect you would quickly change your mind once the reality kicks in that "everyone" will not treat your woodland with the same respect that you or I would.

RHemmings said:

As I live in a built-up area, I'm not sure I could burn wood from such a piece of land. Though, being self-sufficient for warmth would be something that I would greatly appreciate.

We are fortunate to have acres of woodland and it does keep our wood burners and open fires going through even the harshest winters. Mind you it is hard work felling, chopping and splitting the wood although very rewarding for both body and soul and of course your wallet.

A warning that if any of the woodland borders a highway then the Highways Agency will err on the side of caution and force you to take remedial action against any trees they deem to be even a slight risk to road users - they seem to find something to complain about every six months for us.

RHemmings said:

Again, shooting rights is something I never thought of. Not the kind of thing I would do. 

We also have a stream running through our woodland and riparian rights mean you can exclusively fish there if shooting isn't your thing. Similarly seeing a kingfisher or otter appear on your own private stretch of water takes some beating, especially on the even rarer occasions when they appear with their babies.

As @oystercatcher mentioned, if you have dogs they will absolutely love exploring woodland particularly as they can roam free without being on a lead, it's even more exciting for them if you have squirrels residing there.

Dustyevsky

MobileSaver said:

RHemmings said:

In my dream I wouldn't fence it off but would leave it accessible for everyone.

A noble gesture but I suspect you would quickly change your mind once the reality kicks in that "everyone" will not treat your woodland with the same respect that you or I would

RHemmings said:

Again, shooting rights is something I never thought of. Not the kind of thing I would do. 

We also have a stream running through our woodland and riparian rights mean you can exclusively fish there if shooting isn't your thing. Similarly seeing a kingfisher or otter appear on your own private stretch of water takes some beating, especially on the even rarer occasions when they appear with their babies.

As @oystercatcher mentioned, if you have dogs they will absolutely love exploring woodland particularly as they can roam free without being on a lead, it's even more exciting for them if you have squirrels residing there.

There's a good amount of open access woodland in my part of the country. There isn't anything to attract casual users, and those who use the woods generally treat them with respect. We rarely see any litter. The worst thing, from a walker's POV, is unauthorised horse riders churning-up paths in winter.

Sadly, our stream is only small and dries up in summer, but I've access to a river where otters live. A recent introduction of beavers was totally inappropriate, however, as they're too far downstream and their dams would be more useful in the headwaters. We've also discovered they have a liking for apple wood; something a landowner with a riverside orchard had come to regret!

theartfullodger

Google search of "tax advantages of woodland" gives you your answer