A PLANNED protest this week against the sale of an ancient woodland in Inchinnan was called off.
Angry villagers who threatened to stop the sale were relieved when they heard on Friday Teucheen Woods would not go under the hammer.
The woods, thought to have been the site of a battle in 1164, were due to be sold at Glasgow’s Radisson Hotel on Monday, with a guide price of £35,000.
However, estate agents Savills told Inchinnan Community Council last week Monday’s auction would not go ahead.
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This followed The Gazette’s story which told how the proposed sale of the woods, owned by Blythswood Estate, had sparked off anger among locals who view the site as an irreplaceable part of Inchinnan’s future.
We also reported the community council had started the process of creating an Inchinnan Development Trust which would be able to purchase the site.
Maggie Morrison, the community council secretary, said this week The Gazette’s story about the strength of feeling in the village, plus the help of Councillor Iain Nicolson, had contributed to the Blythswood Estate’s trustees calling off the sale.
She said: “It’s now looking very positive and we are delighted. We will be having a meeting with the council and Savills in July to take the matter further.
“We are very grateful to Savills for stressing to the Blythswood trustees that there are very strong feelings here that the wood must be saved.
“With the airport being close by, they act as a natural air filter for the village.
“It is a very ancient wood and access is only by foot. There are no paths, only animal trails, and it’s very overgrown.
“Once it is owned by the community we will give it some TLC which it badly needs.”
Cllr Nicolson wrote on his Facebook page: “I have been in discussion with the agents regarding the imminent auction of these woods.
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“I am pleased to say they have kindly removed the woods from the auction on Monday.
“They have also agreed to engage with us regarding the future. We will look at the potential for them to be in community ownership.
“Renfrewshire Council will be supporting this process."
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