VILLAGERS in Rudloe are incensed that the owners of Leafy Lane woodland are attempting to sell part of it once again, with many fearing that the site could be used for other aims.

Trustees of Leafy Lane Playing Fields Ltd are trying to sell eight acres of woodland, including a green space known as the glade, through Strakers for a guide price of £77,500, and members of the Springfield and Clift Close Residents’ Association have raised their concerns.

Robert Davies, one of the committee members, said: “They do actually do a lot of good and a lot of people are very happy with the facilities and children being able to use it all, although not everybody is aware that they own the woodland.

“There is a lot of bad feeling though. If they just consulted with us it would be a lot better.”

The association argues it has been kept in the dark by the charity and that the sale contradicts the charity’s core aim to provide Corsham residents “in the interests of social welfare facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving their conditions of life”.

“I don’t think they will reconsider it,” Mr Davies said of the sale. “North Wiltshire Council donated £75,000 to help buy the land and to set themselves up but quite a lot of money came through donations too.

“And of course they are now attempting to sell the land for £77,000 including the green space and we don’t understand why.”

Robert Mullins, one of the Leafy Lane trustees, has once again reassured his neighbours that the sale is above board and that the money raised from the sale will go back into the facilities.

He said: “We are attempting to sell a proportion of our land and the charity commission has stated we can sell all the land if we wish and still operate as a charity, but we would not do that.

“We are selling the land to raise money to enhance the facilities at Leafy Lane for the residents in Corsham and it will not detract from what we offer.

“We would like certain groups to put an offer in of course and there is a local group who wish to purchase it, but we have to get the best we can as set out in English law.

“We will still keep 20 acres of land which will still be available to use.”