Following a fundraising campaign organised by the White Elm Woodland Community Interest Company (CIC), Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) have today purchased the 1.12 acre woodland at Mitre Way. Several years earlier the woodland had been privately bought at auction with a view to making it a residential development.
The White Elm Woodland CIC was set up to secure the future of the wood. When the wood came up for sale again in 2021 a Crowdfunding campaign was launched to try and buy the wood and this raised approximately £21,000. However, before submitting an offer, discussions were held with IBC and the CIC agreed to contribute the amount raised by way of a Deed of Gift towards the council’s acquisition. This was seen as the best way to protect this valuable ‘green lung’ in Ipswich for future generations to enjoy.
Local Councillor Liz Harsant commented “Saving the Woodland is down to the many residents who have supported us over the years and to whom I say a huge thank you.”
The Friends of Holywells Park (FoHP) contributed £500 towards the purchase. The White Elm Woodland is part of a ‘green corridor’ in Ipswich which helps maintain the biodiversity in Holywells Park and other green spaces in the town. Richard Bloomfield from FoHP said “We were delighted to make a financial contribution to the CIC fundraising campaign to preserve this amazing woodland. Many birds, bats, insects and other species rely on both White Elm and Holywells Park for their survival and we just cannot afford to lose any more precious woodland in Ipswich.”
Faye Harburt from the CIC, said: “We are pleased that Mitre Way would be maintained as woodland and we would look forward to working with Ipswich Borough Council to ensure the best use of this green space in the coming years.”
If you are interested in helping to protect green spaces in Ipswich, then please find out more about the Greener Ipswich Project / Oasis Project.
References
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/local-council/ipswich-mitre-way-woodland-ipswich-borough-council-8722398
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/race-to-buy-white-elm-woodland-in-ipswich-8527730
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/local-council/david-ellesmere-column-ipswich-global-warming-8735978
Ipswich Wildlife Network – Linking habitats around the town
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