Thundersley wood saved by people power (From Echo)

Thundersley wood saved by people power

4:00pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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AN ANCIENT woodland has been saved from development after locals chipped in to help raise £50,000.

Essex Wildlife Trust has now bought Tile Wood, in Thundersley, following a 12-week campaign that saw hundreds of donations – many from local residents.

The 1,000-year-old woodland was put up for sale in November by the Church Commissioners, who manage the estates for the Church of England, sparking fears it could be turned into housing.

But it has now been saved thanks to local donations.

Dave Thompson, 48, from Hadleigh, who is a volunteer warden for Tile Wood, said: “It’s wonderful news. South Essex is very urban and I think that makes people appreciate their green spaces even more.

“It’s a popular spot for walkers, but it’s also part of our living history and has to be preserved.”

Essex Wildlife Trust was particularly keen to save Tile Wood, which covers 17.4 acres, due to its rich variety of fauna, including oak, hornbeam, sweet chestnut, holly and hazel trees.

Together with the nearby natural habitats of Pound Wood and Little Havens, the wood forms a large natural habitat.

It is home to a number of creatures including dormice and a rare orange and black butterfly called the heath fritillary.

Michele Kench, a spokeswoman for the Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you for the donations from local residents and our members.

“I think the cause really struck a chord with many people who walk in the wood and really wanted to protect it and its wildlife.”

People wanting to visit the wood should use it’s main entrance on St Michael’s Road, where there is a sign illustrating the public footpaths.