Any one had any experience or views on buying a piece of woodland from one of the specialist companies that sells woodland, been thinking about getting some land but not sure? If its money well spent or just a bit of a con.
buying your own woods
- Thread starter woodsprite
- Start date
Woodlands.co.uk are legitimate.
I don't know about any others but I can't see it being a con.
The legalities and obligations for the land owner/buyer , and pros and cons of owning a woodland are a different matter all together.
If I had the money , I most certainly would invest in one, but that's just my opinion and maybe a romantic view of my ambitions.
There are much more experienced folk here that own woodlands in the UK and will , no doubt, give better advice and explain the process much better than I could.
👍
You really have to consider the future management of the woodland, your expectations and what you intend using it for. This should determine the size and type of woodland you buy.
Remember this!
Should you fall on hard times. Injury, loss of employment and require state benefits to get you through a period of illness or unemployment. Your woodland will be classed as assets. So any means tested benefits will be reduced or unavailable for the period of ownership.
Public liability insurance should also be considered, especially if it's local to urban settlements or has any public rights if way over it or close by.
Management can become very costly if disease or storm damage should occur in large scale.
There is normally restrictions to the amount of timber that can be felled for removal and a type of planning permission (felling licence) could be required. Some trees may have a TPO on them or a protected species of flora or fauna within the woodland may restrict activities at a time of year or area within the woodland.
The seller may have placed some limitations e.g. Dividing, developing, selling restrictions imposed by law on the woodland to be sold.
We have far too many unmanaged and neglected woodlands throughout the Country. It may pay to rent or manage for the use of.
Remember this!
Should you fall on hard times. Injury, loss of employment and require state benefits to get you through a period of illness or unemployment. Your woodland will be classed as assets. So any means tested benefits will be reduced or unavailable for the period of ownership.
Public liability insurance should also be considered, especially if it's local to urban settlements or has any public rights if way over it or close by.
Management can become very costly if disease or storm damage should occur in large scale.
There is normally restrictions to the amount of timber that can be felled for removal and a type of planning permission (felling licence) could be required. Some trees may have a TPO on them or a protected species of flora or fauna within the woodland may restrict activities at a time of year or area within the woodland.
The seller may have placed some limitations e.g. Dividing, developing, selling restrictions imposed by law on the woodland to be sold.
We have far too many unmanaged and neglected woodlands throughout the Country. It may pay to rent or manage for the use of.
I own a couple now, not too onerous if you know what you're doing. This old thread has some useful comments on it: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119878&page=2&highlight=woodlot
Any specific questions ask away. Don't narrow your search to just the well known companies.
Any specific questions ask away. Don't narrow your search to just the well known companies.
I decided never to buy woodland overlooking a public road because of the problem of overhanging trees and falling timber. Ours is hidden nicely behind two other lots that seem never to be visited and to the north of us is a piece owned by a couple in Canada, it seems. What is wrong with having a wood just to be? Bit of a fire and a drink.listen to the birds, maybe see a couple of deer.
Then there is the camping and the archery and raw materials for bows and coracles. It is even fun planning and replanning a shelter (permitted by Forestry regs because a tool store is necessary) just cannot decide whether it should look like a a Stone Age one etc or an Early English mini hall. May never build one as tarps are so useful though. Of course all woods will differ and so will motives for ownership but if you don't need the cash immediately buy wisely and appreciation will pay better than Bank Rate.
Then there is the camping and the archery and raw materials for bows and coracles. It is even fun planning and replanning a shelter (permitted by Forestry regs because a tool store is necessary) just cannot decide whether it should look like a a Stone Age one etc or an Early English mini hall. May never build one as tarps are so useful though. Of course all woods will differ and so will motives for ownership but if you don't need the cash immediately buy wisely and appreciation will pay better than Bank Rate.
The 'specialist' website based sales are often quite a bit more expensive per acre and they often say the price is not negotiable so you can't make offers unless its the asking price, which comes across as a bit of a fix to me.
Check your local land and property agents too especially the ones that do a lot of farmland, as woodland is a recognised category of agricultural property.
Check your local land and property agents too especially the ones that do a lot of farmland, as woodland is a recognised category of agricultural property.
While living in Mayfield village I bought a field with attached woodland. So I could have some fun with my son there.
Well worth the expense!
Cost? Depends on where in UK, if there are any sheds/buildings on it.
If you are interested in improving the value, check out old maps of the land, and see if there are any remains of buildings.
Well worth the expense!
Cost? Depends on where in UK, if there are any sheds/buildings on it.
If you are interested in improving the value, check out old maps of the land, and see if there are any remains of buildings.
Thanks for the info i think i will go for it, a lot of money but its better than sitting in the bank doing nothing, just got to find the right place now.
The ones I've seen are more likely to protect you rather than harm. For example, if you want some peaceful camping you don't want to be next to a busy clay shoot or banger racing.
An example of the clauses: http://www.woodlands.co.uk/buying-a-wood/covenant/
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Why do people make vague references to the disadvantages of specialist woodlot sellers that aren't actually true rather than find out the facts. There are companies that make suggestions of vast profits from developing land but these are different.
