Good afternoon... Pinch, punch - I hope you're all enjoying the April sleet showers! I just wanted to touch base regarding Duncombe Hill Green and to let you know about another important campaign nearby to save some precious ancient woodland.

We are expecting any time soon a further planning application from Investor Alliance for the construction of flats on Duncombe Hill Green. Unfortunately - but not at all unexpectedly - the land isn't being maintained by the developer owners, the grass and the trees are looking rather the worse for wear, and the whole plot has become rather an eyesore. But we don't intend to be defeated and will ramp up the campaign again when IA make their next move - we'll keep you posted!

In the meantime, The Fourth Reserve has been campaigning for many years to protect an area of ancient woodland, on the SE23/SE4 border, from development. The area has been of historical importance for over 3 centuries, once forming part of the hamlet of Brockley Green within the Great North Wood. The land was sold to a private developer in 1999, has changed hands several times since, and is now owned by AA Homes and Housing who have allowed it deteriorate into an unsightly dumping ground. In the last couple of weeks, however, Lewisham Council has confirmed that it will support the community in buying back this piece of ancient woodland via a compulsory purchase order - this is truly fantastic news, BUT The Fourth Reserve now has the enormous task of raising the £150,000 needed to buy back the land. I appreciate that the cost of living has jumped significantly and that these are worrying times for many, but if you are able to spare some of your precious pennies then please do consider contributing to this extremely important campaign and helping out our neighbours and fellow green space campaigners...

Here's the link to the fundraising page: https://localgiving.org/appeal/ancientwoodland/

And you can read more here: https://www.fourthreserve.org.uk/history

Thank you so much! 

Nicola x