Do you dream of owning woodland? Whether it’s for conservation, wildlife watching, family adventures, or simply the joy of having your own secluded space, buying woodland in the UK is more achievable than you might think!
This is not a quick way to getting round planning permissions for a caravan or mobile home as this is unlikely to be granted in most cases, but a commitment to having a stake in a part of the countryside which will need management and time.
It’s the joy of owning a slice of nature that will make a difference well into the future. With your knowledge and guidance, the woodland will be able to thrive and provide biodiversity and potentially a modest income in certain areas.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
Planning laws still apply to woodlands, and it is very unlikely that planning will be granted in most cases and then not without a considerable amount of effort to prove that this is beneficial to the area and woodland.
If you still need convincing, then speak to the local council planning department and get their views and look at the local plan. If you intend to offer any leisure opportunities, its likely they too will need planning and this too is far from automatic, especially when it comes to highway issues.
If there are rights of way through or round the woodland that are on the definitive map then these cannot be extinguished and can only be moved with considerable input and may well be refused. Do go into purchase with your eyes wide open and with the intent to steward and appreciate the woodland, rather than as an additional income although that might be possible.
Another thing to look at is shooting rights. These are rights granted by a landowner to a third-party beneficiary under a licence or lease, the most common being for hunting, fishing, and shooting. These rights are like easements and can be very difficult to stop. You should ensure that the land is not subject to these rights as when a sporting right is given, the person who has it is able to do something on and take something from your land without them having any actual ownership rights to the land itself. Be sure your woodland is not subject to any…
This article extract was taken from the June 2025 edition of The Country Smallholder. To read the article in full, you can buy the issue here.
