Hi, if you don’t already know us, we’re The Marshes - a family of 5 living in Robertsbridge.  In 2021, during one of our daily Covid walks, we saw some beautiful woodland up for sale on the outskirts of the village.  We swiftly put in an offer and were then the new owners of what we’ve since named as ‘Column Wood’ - 7 acres of mixed agricultural land and woodland. 

 

We’ve done so many worthwhile projects at the land over the years.  To date we have planted around 450 native fruit trees (thank you to 50+ members of the community who helped!). 

We’re maintaining the 6 acres of ancient woodland in a sympathetic way, and are getting started on some exciting farming initiatives. We’ve loved seeing a local forest school bring their young children to enjoy the woods, learn about the environment and do some planting and growing. 

 

This year we secured a grant from the ESCC & Rother Council to purchase some glamping tents, along with a 60 day licence to operate as a camp site. This has been incredibly successful, and each camper has spent money in the local village economy. 

 

Unfortunately we now feel it’s time to ask for your help, and a couple of minutes of your time, to support our work in the woods.

Whilst we have incredibly positive relationships with all our other neighbours, one set of our neighbours is attempting to obtain 1.2 acres of our legally owned land, through an expensive and unnecessary law suit.  Off the back of this, they complained to the Council that our forestry shed was a ‘residential pavilion’ and set about campaigning as a Parish Councillor to the council to make us remove it. Not helpful to the situation was their neighbour friend who threatened to sue the local authority if they didn’t act. So, we were served with an enforcement notice. 

 

Our forestry shed houses all the necessary tools, equipment and machinery needed to maintain our beautiful land. Without this essential storage, our tools are open to damage and theft.   The shed is in keeping with its surroundings, having been built with local timber. No trees were removed to build it and there are no utilities, heating, or running water.  

 

If you have been a part of our journey so far - maybe you’ve helped with woodland management, your children have visited, you helped plant trees - and would like to support us in retaining our shed, the details on how to do so are below. Alternatively, email any comments to info@columnwood.co.uk. 

 

1. The link is https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk

2. Search for the case number - 3343279

3. Click on ‘make representation’

4. Select ‘interested party’

 

There is an open invitation to come and visit us at Column Wood - do you have questions about what we’ve been doing, want to come and have a look, maybe have a tour of our site? message us and we’ll happily meet you, we’re a friendly family honestly!