Tavistock community woodland could be council’s ‘lasting legacy’

Land has been bought by West Devon Borough Council in Tavistock to create a woodland oasis as development around the town expands.

The 7.2-hectare site will be the first publicly accessible woodland within reasonable walking distance of the town, according to councillors.

Situated just beyond Crowndale Farm, about a kilometre south of Tavistock College, the land was until recently heavily grazed by cattle.

Natural regeneration is now taking place, with oak saplings beginning to grow.

The council plans to create paths and picnic areas, as well as install interpretation panels explaining the history of the landscape between the canal and the old railway line.

The site is intended to be enjoyed by generations to come.

The woodland project supports the council’s natural environment theme in its delivery plan and will contribute to nature recovery.

Council leader Mandy Ewings (Independent, Tavistock South West) told a hub committee meeting on Tuesday that it was a “beautiful piece of land” where visitors would be able to see the Grade II-listed Shillamill Viaduct, the meandering River Tavy and Dartmoor, while enjoying the sound of birdsong and bats.

She said she would like to see other areas of West Devon set aside for similar projects and encouraged councillors to suggest potential sites, as some funding remained available.

Last December, the committee agreed to allocate £100,000 from earmarked reserves, alongside £50,000 already committed through the council’s delivery plan, to fund the purchase.

Members heard that negotiations had helped reduce the original asking price.

The site was bought last month for around £15,000 less than budgeted.

Deer fencing and rabbit netting will be installed in the western field to protect the young trees.

Rob Sekula, the council’s principal natural resources and greenspaces officer, said Tavistock had other woodlands, but they were all a car journey away.

“This is the first woodland people can walk to. It will take a few years to get going, but it will be a well-used resource. It is already a well-used right of way along the canal.

“It has so much going for it. We have got development literally creeping out to the doorstep of this site, so it makes a lot of sense. Hopefully, we can do it just by fencing it and let nature take its course. It is a good site.

“If you go, you will be sold on it.”

Mr Sekula said he was considering submitting an application for a community orchard at the entrance to the woodland, giving schools the opportunity to get involved in planting and caring for fruit trees.

A public access path of around 1.5km will be created through the site, providing access to almost the entire area.

The council’s chief executive, Andy Bates, said: “We spend lots of time doing the things we have to do and must do as a council. Just occasionally, we get to do something that might leave a lasting legacy for our community, and this is one of them.”

Councillor Chris West (Liberal Democrat, Burrator), who helped pioneer the project, said it would provide an invaluable area of open space, particularly given the potential for development in the area and the Tors scheme being built around it.

“So many woodlands are now fenced off and not accessible. This is a huge opportunity for our kids to see a woodland grow,” he said.