Penn Wood saved by deal CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after saving of one of the largest and oldest areas of ancient woodland in the Chilterns.

The Woodland Trust announced on Tuesday that it had bought and exchanged contracts on Penn Wood, buying out the wood's previous owners, GBS Estates, for £1.2 million.

GBS Estates had planned to sell off the 432-acre wood piecemeal after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott refused permission last December for an 18-hole golf course to be built on the land.

Friends of Penn Wood and The Woodland Trust sealed the deal with GBS Estates after raising the money needed to buy the wood.

Penn Wood, which pre-dates the Domesday Book, is the largest woodland in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Some of the trees are more than 400 years old.

Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby and Prince Charles both backed the campaign to save the wood.

Prince Charles donated an undisclosed amount of cash to help it.

Tracey McNeill, chairman of the Friends of Penn Wood, told the BFP this week: "This is a dream come true, it is quite overwhelming that we have been able to save the wood.

"When we formed six years ago, it was a dream that we would be able to prevent the wood from becoming a golf course.

She added: "Our ultimate aim was to buy the wood and now that we have done that we are all absolutely delighted."

Buying Penn Wood has seen The Woodland Trust, the Uk's leading woodland conservation charity, go into the red.

James Underhill, of the trust, said: "Fundraising for Penn Wood has been a huge challenge and a long haul.

"We are really grateful to everyone who has supported us including the substantial support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Onyx Environmental Trust."

The trust borrowed £230,000 to plug a shortfall in the money needed to buy the woodland and still needs to find the extra cash.

Anyone wanting to donate cash should telephone Andrea Miles on (01892) 513733.

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