24 May 2010
Oliver’s Copse, which comprises just over 9 acres of unspoilt ancient woodland nestled next to Withy Copse in Tilehurst, is currently being offered for sale by its current owners and it is understood that there has been interest from investment companies and developers in the site. The woodland borders some of the streets on the Bird’s estate in Tilehurst and the houses off Langley Hill, Bay Tree Rise & Yew Tree Rise.
In response to the threat of this amenity being lost to developers local residents have launched a public campaign group, Save Oliver’s Copse Campaign (SOCC). A public meeting organised by SOCC will be held on Friday 28 May at 7 pm at the Calcot Centre in Tilehurst to discuss the issue and share ideas with other local residents.
When letters advertising that the land for sale were sent to some of the residents a few weeks ago many residents started to become concerned about the possible loss of more land to property developers.
What started as a discussion between a handful of concerned resident soon resulted in Russell & Fiona Vince, who have been residents of Bay Tree Rise for over 25 years, rallying the local community to put a stop to the woodlands being destroyed. The campaign is considering, with enough community support, to put in a bid for the woodland with the aim of buying it and preserving it for the long term benefit of the whole community. In addition the SOCC campaigners are applying for village green status on the woodlands to protect the land irrespective of ownership.
Russell and Fiona Vince said: “The enthusiasm has been really positive with considerable community support pledged by individuals in just a few weeks. We are confident that if we can get the message out fast enough then we have a real chance of protecting this valuable green-space.”
Local Reading West MP Alok Sharma, who has met with SOCC campaigners, is supporting the campaign to protect Oliver’s Copse. Alok commented: “I am incredibly impressed by how well organised the campaign group are and we have here a fantastic set of residents who are determined to protect this valuable green space. Over the past few years I have joined residents’ campaigns against inappropriate development on Pincents Hill and the Bath Road Reservoir site and I will be working very closely with the SOCC campaigners to ensure that we save Oliver’s Copse for the local community.”
Fiona Vince added: “We are working against a ticking clock the closing date for bids was the 21 May 2010.We have contacted the owners directly via email to see whether they would sell the woodland to the community as a preferred Purchaser at the time of this going to press we have had no response.
We know we are likely to be bidding against developers with quite deep pockets, so we need to get as many people involved as quickly as possible if we are to stand a chance of making this happen. Residents are all too familiar with developers trying to build on our open space but as the recent Pincents Hill Campaign shows as a community can achieve things if we work together.”
Fiona concluded: “What we need is community support and simply money, any donations, large and small, to help us put in a bid - how much are you willing to give, to save this woodland for the Community. If we cannot bid for the land we need to move forward in our application for Village Green status and we need your help and support to fund this. Please join us at the public meeting at the Highview Centre, Calcot on Friday 28th May 2010 at 7pm.”
SOCC has also launched a website, please visit www.oliverscopse.co.uk.
In response to the threat of this amenity being lost to developers local residents have launched a public campaign group, Save Oliver’s Copse Campaign (SOCC). A public meeting organised by SOCC will be held on Friday 28 May at 7 pm at the Calcot Centre in Tilehurst to discuss the issue and share ideas with other local residents.
When letters advertising that the land for sale were sent to some of the residents a few weeks ago many residents started to become concerned about the possible loss of more land to property developers.
What started as a discussion between a handful of concerned resident soon resulted in Russell & Fiona Vince, who have been residents of Bay Tree Rise for over 25 years, rallying the local community to put a stop to the woodlands being destroyed. The campaign is considering, with enough community support, to put in a bid for the woodland with the aim of buying it and preserving it for the long term benefit of the whole community. In addition the SOCC campaigners are applying for village green status on the woodlands to protect the land irrespective of ownership.
Russell and Fiona Vince said: “The enthusiasm has been really positive with considerable community support pledged by individuals in just a few weeks. We are confident that if we can get the message out fast enough then we have a real chance of protecting this valuable green-space.”
Local Reading West MP Alok Sharma, who has met with SOCC campaigners, is supporting the campaign to protect Oliver’s Copse. Alok commented: “I am incredibly impressed by how well organised the campaign group are and we have here a fantastic set of residents who are determined to protect this valuable green space. Over the past few years I have joined residents’ campaigns against inappropriate development on Pincents Hill and the Bath Road Reservoir site and I will be working very closely with the SOCC campaigners to ensure that we save Oliver’s Copse for the local community.”
Fiona Vince added: “We are working against a ticking clock the closing date for bids was the 21 May 2010.We have contacted the owners directly via email to see whether they would sell the woodland to the community as a preferred Purchaser at the time of this going to press we have had no response.
We know we are likely to be bidding against developers with quite deep pockets, so we need to get as many people involved as quickly as possible if we are to stand a chance of making this happen. Residents are all too familiar with developers trying to build on our open space but as the recent Pincents Hill Campaign shows as a community can achieve things if we work together.”
Fiona concluded: “What we need is community support and simply money, any donations, large and small, to help us put in a bid - how much are you willing to give, to save this woodland for the Community. If we cannot bid for the land we need to move forward in our application for Village Green status and we need your help and support to fund this. Please join us at the public meeting at the Highview Centre, Calcot on Friday 28th May 2010 at 7pm.”
SOCC has also launched a website, please visit www.oliverscopse.co.uk.
