Woodlands For Sale North Wales

Coed Gelli, Newbridge, Wrexham 14.46 acres (approx.) of mixed woodland overlooking the River Dee including a one-acre island. Leasehold (937 years) as a whole for £117,500 or in three lots [#334].

Lot 1 – 5.22 acres (approx.) including island for £44,000 FOR SALE
Lot 2 – 4.68 acres (approx.) including two substantial crafted sheds for £42,000 FOR SALE
Lot 3 – 4.56 acres (approx.) for £31,500 FOR SALE

A private riverside property with its own island nestling below an escarpment, benefiting from extensive internal access and offering outstanding scope both for recreation and small-scale woodland management. Compact riverside woodlands seldom come to the market - those with islands are rarer still.

This crescent-shaped wood wraps round a bend on the east side of the River Dee about a mile downstream of the village of Froncysyllte and the famous Llangollen Canal Aqueduct. The wood is tucked below an escarpment and as you descend into its leafy depths, the sight and sound of the road above quickly fades. The woodland faces west with views across the River Dee to open farmland, an old stone viaduct and the Llangollen Hills beyond. Intending purchasers should note that there is a riverside strip of 33’ that is under separate ownership but that access to the island is enabled under a Right of Access of Necessity.

Designated as a ‘Plantation on an Ancient Woodland Site’, Coed Gelli supports a wide range of tree species with long-established native hardwoods such as oak, ash, cherry, elm, alder and willow interspersed with plantings from the 1950’s including poplar, beech sycamore, Douglas fir, pine and larch. An under-storey of shrub species including hawthorn, hazel, elder and holly overlies a rich forest floor with extravagant seasonal displays of snowdrops, wild garlic, bluebells, primroses and ferns.

The woodland is in ‘productive’ phase with a good proportion of harvestable trees supported by recruitment of younger stems. The current owner has selectively-felled both soft and hardwoods for a variety of uses including charcoal production, firewood and mill-wood. The substantial artisanal buildings in lot 2 are constructed entirely from Coed Gelli trees. The property is well served with tracks enabling active management and vehicular access across the site.

Wildlife abounds. Aside from the usual range of woodland birds and mammals, there is an active badger sett and patience may be rewarded with sightings of the otters, herons and kingfishers that also inhabit this stretch of the river.

Lot 1 (5.22 acres including the island). The focal points of this wood are the island and the maintained lawn area that overlooks it. Together these features offer unrivalled recreational possibilities, with a levelled grass camping site, a deck for sitting out and there is even an earth-closet. Cars can be parked in the main access area above. Access to the amenity area is by a flight of steps or a newly built 4x4 track. The track then continues downstream to within 40m of the northern boundary giving good access for woodland management.

The precise area of the island varies according to river flow but is mapped at 0.93 acres. It is low-lying, level and aside from a small grassland area on the west side it is almost entirely wooded with broadleaves. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Lot 2 (4.68 acres). This property boasts two substantial linked wooden sheds of about 8m x 8m and 16m x 16m. They overlook the river at the north end of the lot. These bespoke shelters can be accessed by car down a well-found track. Originally designed for saw-milling and storage, these recently finished buildings afford an incoming owner a wide range of recreational and commercial possibilities (subject to the necessary consents). The substantial rough-hewn frameworks support lined earth roofs planted with flora from the surrounding forest floor. Consequently these attractive structures blend into the surrounding woodland and are almost invisible from above. The sawmill in the larger shed is available at an additional cost of £2,000.

There is also a substantial level track along the east edge atop the escarpment giving access to the south and enabling timber extraction from the wooded slopes below. The woodland here is principally conifers and dominated by Douglas fir (a valuable commercial species). Broadleaves are scattered throughout and in association with larch are particularly evident on the top east side.

Lot 3 (4.56 acres). This lot is served by the excellent level track on the east boundary of the wood with a turning circle for cars at the end. Access from here is on foot inside the south boundary fence and then down a ridge path towards the river. The woodland is broader at this point and further from the road – consequently it offers more seclusion and a greater sense of ‘forest’ amidst undulating bowls and ridges that support a range of hardwoods. The fertile soils and topographic shelter have produced some substantial trees including some notable poplar stems. Other species include oak, ash, alder, willow, larch, Douglas fir and holly. The wood is also home to an active badger sett. There are views north over farmland and west to a substantial stone aqueduct and the Llangollen Hills beyond. The Llangollen Canal passes just 200m to the southwest.

There are two leases attaching to Coed Gelli. The majority is covered by a 999 year lease dating from 1949. A second lease of 983 years from 1965 covers the access point and the track into lot 3. Both leases expire on the same date in 2948.

The Pen y Bont Landfill Site to the east is neither audible nor visible from the wood and no scent is detectable. The site is already partially capped and is to be fully landscaped on closure which is scheduled for December 2014.

There are restrictive covenants in the contract for this woodland to protect its peaceful environment. Please click on the button below to view the covenants.

From the northeast
From Wrexham travel south for about 3 miles on the A483, then exit onto the A539 for Llangollen. After 500m take the first exit at a roundabout onto the B5605 for Newbridge. At Newbridge, cross the River Dee and the Coed Gelli entrance is a further 300m on your right, opposite Pen y Bont Landfill Site entrance.

From the south and west
Leave the A5 approximately midway between Froncysyllte and Chirk, and head northeast on the B5605 (signed for Newbridge). After ¾ mile you will see the entrance to the wood on your left, opposite Pen y Bont Landfill Site entrance.

Parking and Access
Viewers to all lots can access the site on foot via the locked access barrier. Parking is available in the villages of Newbridge to the north or Pentre to the south. Please avoid parking at the Pen y Bont Landfill Site entrance.

OS Landranger Series sheet: 117.

National Grid Ref Access Point: SJ 291 415.

Nearest postcode: LL14 3JE.

Lot 1
The northwest boundary is defined by posts topped in pink.
The east boundary is defined by the public road.
The west boundary is 33’ in from the river bank.
The south boundary is the two gates on the south side of the access area and thence a small seasonal watercourse periodically identified by posts topped in blue.
The island is offered in its entirety to the water’s edge.

Lot 2
The north boundary is the two gates on the south side of the access area and thence a small seasonal watercourse periodically identified by posts topped in blue.
The east boundary is the roadside wall and, further south, the field-edge stock fence.
The west boundary is 33’ back from the river bank.
The southwest boundary is defined by posts topped in orange.

Lot 3
The north boundary facing the river is defined by posts topped in green.
The northeast boundary is defined by posts topped in orange.
The west, south and southeast boundaries are defined by field-edge stock fences.

The sporting rights are retained by the freeholder but the leaseholder has concurrent rights to control black game (including deer, hare, rabbit and grey squirrel). There are no fishing rights attaching to any part of any lot.

Minerals are reserved to the landlord (as prescribed in the 1949 lease).

Access and
Rights of Way:

A Right of Access of Necessity bridges the intervening ownership between lot 1 and the island. The selling agent can provide more details.

Lots 2 and 3 will have access rights over the parking area (A on the plan) attaching to lot 1.

Lot 3 will have a right of access on the track through lot 2 marked AB on the plan.

There is no public right of way within any of the woodland.

There are no known fencing liabilities for lot 1. The external fencing liabilities are believed to rest with the leaseholders of lots 2 and 3.

You are welcome to view this woodland at any time during daylight hours. Please ensure that you remain within the sale area when viewing this property. We do ask that you print these particulars and take them with you, mainly so you can correctly identify the boundaries and access points.

Once you have seen this woodland, you can contact us by telephone on 01248 364362, or by email at info@woods4sale.co.uk.

Plans, areas and particulars are for reference only. They have been carefully checked by us but we cannot guarantee their accuracy and they do not form a part of any contract. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves, and we will give as much help as possible with all information we have available.