'Wildlife haven' Windmill Wood to go under the hammer

Windmill Wood, also known as Toft Wood, will be sold to the highest bidder during an auction later this month.

Marketed by Fisher German, the 35.61 acre plot has a guide price of £232,000.

The listing reads: “The wood is a stunning haven for wildlife but also contains considerable mature timber, including significant stands for beech, oak, larch, Scots pine and yews.

“Leisure and recreational uses sympathetic to the woodland setting are likely to be explored by potential purchasers.

“The woodland is traversed by woodland walks and meandering pathways and has a vehicular access from the Chelford Road on the eastern boundary.”

It has been owned by the same family for the past 40 years (Image: Fisher German)

Windmill Wood was first established by the Toft Estate in the mid-19th century and has been owned and looked after by one family for nearly 40 years.

It is around 1.6 miles from the centre of Knutsford, nearby to residential roads such as Goughs Lane and Chelford Road.

The listing says it has 'excellent' transport links, with junction 19 of the M6 4.5 miles away and the M56 not too far either.

It also explains that the property is sold subject to all existing easements, wayleaves and rights of way.

“It is believed the woodland is traversed by a public right of way from Goughs Lane to Chelford Road along the northern boundary,” the listing states.

This is not the first time attempts have been made to sell the woodland.

In July 2014 Windmill Wood went under the hammer at Cottons Hotel.

Residents raised concerns at the time, fearing it could be sold to developers.

However, an ecology and planning officer at Cheshire Wildlife Trust explained that planning permission for local wildlife sites are not granted unless there is an 'overriding need for development to go ahead'.

Regardless, the woods failed to attract any bids high enough and did not sell.

The online auction ends midday on August 23 (Image: Fisher German)

The current online auction is due to end at midday on Wednesday, August 23.

Further information can be found at www.fishergerman.co.uk/residential-property-sales/land-for-sale-in-chelford-road-ollerton-knutsford-cheshire-wa16/44067.