Duchess Wood sale by Luss Estates goes to closing date

Duchess Wood will close to bidders on Wednesday, November 13 after Luss Estates put the 50 acres up for sale for offers over £70,000.

But campaigners highlighted that the sale covers only the trees, not the car park or access to the land, leaving questions over what anyone could do with the land.

Friends of Duchess Wood equally raised the problem of a lack of income options from the land against high costs - something which may have pushed the sale, and prevented the Friends from attempting to buy it themselves.

At Helensburgh Community Council on October 31, they accepted they were unsure of next steps given the financial position. They said they would work with whomever the new owner might be.

David Lewin, chair of the Friends, said there were "no significant revenue opportunities" to offset costs such as emptying bins twice a week, liability insurance, maintenance of invasive species and other management needs.

Map of the full Duchess Wood site (Image: Friends of Duchess Wood)

He said the wood of the trees was not particularly valuable, but there was also no access to get timber out even if someone wanted to buy the land for it.

Mr Lewin said they had previously researched community purchases of similar woods in Scotland. But he said they found the challenge was the level of "buy-in" from the wider public, as well as needing a "succession plan" for the organisation they would have to set up.

Liability was also an issue.

"We have responsibility to our volunteers, but not for the wood itself," he told the meeting. "We are not organised or structured to purchase."

Polly Jones, vice convener of Helensburgh Community Council, added: "Is there anything we can do as HCC?"

Marketing material from Goldcrest selling Duchess Wood (Image: Goldcrest Land and Forestry Group)

"Nothing immediately comes to mind," admitted Mr Lewin, saying all organisations are cash strapped. "The closing date implies they have had offers.

"Luss Estates says if nobody buys it, the status quo persists. Since they took back stewardship, they have actually been okay.

"Now perhaps things are going to be a little bit different."

Luss Estates have been approached for comment.