RESIDENTS around Leafy Lane in Corsham are planning to rally together in one final bid to save the woodland area after it didn’t sell for its £50,000 guide price at auction last week.

The area, which is owned by registered charity Leafy Lane Playing Fields Ltd, tried to sell the land at auction on Thursday.

Chris Tarbitten, of Springfield Close, said he was stunned after the decision to sell the land came to light last month.

He added: “It is in effect a commercially worthless piece of land and we won’t make any money because the conservation order of the trees will make it a liability.

“There is a very strong community spirit and the people wish that we want to keep it in community ownership. I am sure there is a tremendous amount of goodwill from people to help support them financially and physically in maintaining the area.”

After being set up in 1996, the charity received grants and donations to enable it to buy both the wood and large adjoining field to develop the sports ground and build the club house.

But five acres of woodland out of a total of 23 acres could still be sold to an outside party by Strakers despite it not going to auction.

Robert Davies, also of the adjacent Springfield Close, said if the trustees approached the community they would be keen to work with them financially.

He said: “It is unfortunate that they did not want to consult with the community because there are a lot of people in the community who would want to help. I’ve spoken to people who said they would contribute financially if it meant preserving the woodland and so you can understand why people are upset about it as it goes against the wishes of the original trustees.

“There would be a considerable amount of generosity from people and it is a real shame they want to sell it because we are trying to do what we think is right for the community.”

Fellow resident Paul Turner shares the same view. He added: “I think people will be relieved that it didn’t sell because many were worried as to who could end up with the land. The reason why the woodland doesn’t make money is that it isn’t there to make money, it is there to be enjoyed by the community.”

Many residents are now hoping to register an informal footpath within the woodland as a public right of way which will further their attempts to keep the land in the heart of the community.

No one was available for comment from Leafy Lane Playing Fields Ltd.