A HOUSEBUILDER has given more than 40 hectares of Berkshire forest to The Land Trust.
Cala Homes has handed over a 42.5 hectare forest to The Land Trust, as part of a range of community benefits being delivered at the Buckler’s Park development in Crowthorne.
Buckler’s Forest, designated as Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG), offers a network of trails and cycle routes.
All the routes are accessible to the public, while the land serves to protect and enhance biodiversity and provide a new green space for the community to enjoy.
John Richards, land and planning director at Cala Homes (Thames), described Buckler’s Forest as a “special place” and believes handing it over to The Land Trust will add value for the community.
He added: “It was great to work with the team at The Land Trust to handover Buckler’s Forest.
“The Land Trust has an excellent reputation for custodianship of green spaces which ensures that spaces like Buckler’s Park are managed for the benefit of the public, while enhancing local biodiversity, for many generations to come.
“We look forward to working with the organisation again in the future.”
Cala’s Buckler’s Park site is being developed on the former Transport and Road Research Laboratory estate and is a brownfield regeneration site.
Features from the former research laboratory have been retained and incorporated into the land, including a banked curve, fire tower, signage and control boxes, resulting in a space of recreational, ecological, and historical quality.
Buckler’s Forest will now be maintained and managed by The Land Trust, a charity which manages open spaces for public benefit, backed by funding from Cala.
Euan Hall, chief executive at The Land Trust, said: “Buckler’s Forest is a wonderful woodland and open space on the doorstep of the new community created by Cala Homes.
“Green spaces are what bring people together, but it’s vitally important they are well-managed and maintained so they can continue to thrive.
“By actively encouraging people to enjoy the big outdoors at Buckler’s Forest, this will have the benefit of diverting attention away from local flora and fauna special protection areas.”
The SANG is in Crowthorne, where Cala is delivering 2,000 new homes, as well as a community hub, neighbourhood centre, pub/restaurant, community allotments and an orchard.
SANGs are vital as a means of offering the public alternative outdoor space away from Special Protection Areas (land designated to protect rare, vulnerable, and migratory birds).
The opening up of Buckler’s Forest seeks to attract visitors away from neighbouring heathland to reduce the impact on wildlife populations and plant numbers from recreational pressure.
The delivery of high-quality greenspace is a priority for Cala Homes, motivated by its impact on the physical and mental health of local communities.
By the end of 2022, their goal is to have formulated a strategy and action plan to enhance biodiversity across their sites.
For more information on Cala Homes visit: cala.co.uk
