Support for Freeman's Wood

Lancaster City Council has vowed to support Freeman’s Wood and protect it for community use.

On Wednesday (July 17) city councillors passed a motion which supports protecting the area, following a recent decision by a planning inspector that it should not be designated in the Local Plan as a Local Green Space.

Although it would continue to be designated as open space, recreation and leisure, this is a lower level of protection than that previously proposed.

Under the motion agreed by councillors, the council will continue to protect the site by taking any other action it can, including ensuring Tree Preservation Orders are adhered to and refusing access via its own landholdings for any future developments.

Coun John Reynolds, Cabinet member with responsibility for planning policy, said: “Freeman’s Wood is a much-loved community space and haven for wildlife. 

“Although the council has no intention to allocate the site for development and it will continue to receive protection under a designation of open space, it’s important that we make a statement that outlines the council’s support for this important community asset.

“This motion makes it clear that there is broad, strong support for maintaining Freeman’s Wood as undeveloped open space.”

Last updated: 19 July 2019