Woodland plot to go under the hammer

A THIRTY-five-acre woodland near Basingstoke is up for sale, with estate agents claiming it is suitable for development.

Mill Wood, in Andwell Lane, Hook, is to be auctioned in London this week with a guide price of £200,000.

The mixed woodland site - which is located close to the M3 on greenbelt land - is described as having "enormous potential" for various uses including residential development, a paintball centre, quadbiking or shooting ground.

Chris Glenn, divisional managing director of Barnard Marcus, the agent managing the sale, declined to disclose who owned the land but said it was a private company which found the land was surplus to requirements.

"It is such an unusual property and there has been some very significant interest in it," he said.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it sold comfortably above the guide price."

Although there is currently no planning permission for development on the site, Mr Glenn believes this should not deter potential buyers.

He said: "I don't think some large-scale development on the site would be conducive to the area but the land could be suitable for low-level development and leisure activities.

"Planning rules can be a bit of a lottery but I would question why someone wouldn't want to have some sort of usage on the site that wouldn't affect the environment in any way."

But Councillor Stephen Marks, of Basing ward, is not convinced.

He said: "You can say anything has the potential for development but without planning permission that means absolutely zilch.

"There will be a huge outcry if it is developed but I can't see it happening."

thisishampshire.net, 16.04.2007

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