03/03/2022
IMPORTANT UPDATE
We’re writing to you with a long overdue update about our project you have so kindly supported in the last 12 months.
In November, after failing to raise the significant funds we needed, our request to the Peak Park for a time extension was denied. The land is now to be sold on the open market with planning permission for a caravan park. It will be sold by sealed bids to be concluded some time in May.
Obviously this is not the outcome any of us had hoped for, but the team has been meeting and working out what we can possibly do under these circumstances. Initially we had hoped we might be able to partner with other organisations to raise the capital to place our own bid, but none of these leads have panned out.
Our options are now limited but these are the discussions we have been having:
We have been made aware of a known, trusted local business who is interested in making a bid. We would hope to work with them, if successful, to realise some of our Wildwood goals of a meadow and trees.
We are also in talks with PDNP as to assurances re the sale - eg, no immediate resale, no changes in planning permission, first refusal on resale etc. These conversations are ongoing.
We’re really grateful for all your donations and support, and as we are not able to achieve the aims under which you gave us money, there are some options you need to consider and let us know what you would like to do:
If you donated money and would like it back, please email us on [email protected] with the email address you paid with via PayPal. We will be able to allocate your donation with your email address and pay you back in full by the end of May.
If you would like to keep your donation in place whilst we make new plans and await our next move then you do not need to do anything. If we are able to have some part of the land we hope to honour the tree dedications.
If you would like your donation amount to be made to the Woodland Trust now then please email us on [email protected] with the email address you paid with on PayPal. We will make a lump sum donation including your name and send you confirmation of this.
The administration required to complete multiple refunds is vast and we work on a voluntary basis so please be patient when awaiting a reply. We have given ourselves a deadline for the end of May to make all requested refunds.
Thank you again for all your support and we are truly sorry this is not the outcome we had hoped for.
Best wishes,
The Foolow Wildwood Team