The Merrymens, Woodland Creation Project. - Sold

Guide prices for separate woods are:

Wood 1 approx 5 acres - £38,000

Wood 2 approx 10 acres - £65,000

Wood 3 approx 9.5 acres - £60,000

Description: The Woodland Trust is pleased to offer for sale, as part of their national woodland creation drive to double the amount of native woodland in the UK in the next 20 years, Merrymen Wood, over 24 acres of prime tree planting land in a lovely yet accessible part of Nottinghamshire. The site has been identified as suitable for a new broadleaved woodland and an innovative and exciting Woodland Trust design has been approved by the Forestry Commission.

Grant aid from the Forestry Commission has been secured with planting scheduled for this coming December. See table below for schedule of payments. A wide mix of native trees and shrubs has been chosen including oak, ash, wild cherry, silver birch, hazel and holly. The details of the planting pattern can be seen on the plan below. 

The land is being offered available for sale now to allow purchaser to “tweak” the design and in so doing personalise their new woodland or to undertake the planting themselves. Please note that a buyer will have to enter into a covenant that the land will have to remain as woodland.

Growth rates are expected to be very high, the soil is fertile and well-drained, with canopy closure likely to be in about 10 years time.

One of the most exciting elements of woodland ownership is seeing a young woodland grow and develop into a wooded entity. This happens surprisingly quickly. In the early years tending consists of straightening any leaning support canes, snipping out any double 'leaders' and generally keeping an eye on things, this is when an intimacy with the wood develops. 

The old Grantham Canal runs along the south east boundary. A history of the canal can be seen here.

General information

The grant aid comes is in 2 parts, 1) a planting grant and 2) an annual payment for 15 years which is intended to compensate the woodland owner for loss of agricultural income.
The planting grant is paid in 2 instalments, the 1st at planting then the 2nd payment after 5 years.

The grants are:

Whole - 24½ acres  £29,457  followed by  £7360 + £2907/yr for 15 yrs

Wood 1 - 5ac  £6,000   followed by £1,500   total  £7,500  + £600/yr for 15 yrs

Wood 2 - 10 ac £12,030   followed by £3,000  total  £15,030 + £1185/yr for 15 yrs

Wood 3 - 9½ ac £11,400     followed by £2,800 total  £  £14,200 + £1125/yr for 15 yrs 

These figures are a guide only and purchasers will be able to seek confirmation from the Forestry Commission.  

Sporting rights are included, mineral rights were reserved to a previous owner, there is a development clause: 50% any increase in value due to planning approval for residential or commercial use will be due to a previous owner for a 25 year period from 2010.

The boundaries between 1,2 and 3 are as yet unmarked.

Viewing:  The land has recently been seeded with grass so in wet conditions may be a little muddy underfoot but the grass will soon cover the land.