Many of you will have seen or been made aware of fencing being erected around the entire woodland area behind the Button End Industrial Estate. There seems to be some confusion over who was responsible for this fencing with some people thinking it was linked to the establishment of a nature reserve. This could not be further from the truth.
The background is that the land was identified in the Neighbourhood Plan as being ‘safeguarded for future informal space provision to serve the local community needs.’ Harston residents voted massively in favour of the Plan and it was adopted in October 2025. The first community project identified in the Plan was that the Parish Council, the local community and other stakeholders, e.g., the Wildlife Trust, would work together to protect and enhance the biodiversity of the Button End Wood site.
To make a start on this project notices were put up around the site stating that volunteers were caring for the site and giving the Harston Residents Group email contact. Almost immediately, 6 foot high fence panels were erected along a section on part of the boundary between the wood and the Industrial Estate.
Despite this, a group of volunteers met on site on the 1 & 8 March to make a start on clearing litter and other debris deposited there over the years. Unfortunately the fencing work continued and the whole woodland site is now fenced in with either the wooden panels or ‘stock’ fencing. This has prevented us from carrying out any more rubbish clearance. It has also prevented the animals accessing the woodland or trapping them within it.
When the fencing was completed, Harston Residents Group received a letter warning us to keep out and threatening us with prosecution for trespass on private land. The letter was sent by IQBRO who occupy units C1 -C3 on the Industrial Estate. They do not own the woodland but seem to think that they have the right to not only enclose the land but to chop down (without a felling permit) and burn significant numbers of trees, an action which continues today. This again affects the animals and also the birds whose nesting habitats are being destroyed.
We have informed as many relevant authorities as we can think of and have also, with donations from volunteers, engaged a firm of solicitors to challenge the actions of IQBRO.
How you can help:
- Let us know how you and your family have used the woodland in the past, for example: walking, wildlife & birdwatching, kids climbing trees, building dens, bike riding
- Does anyone have any legal expertise they can offer?
- Donate towards legal fees.
- Come along to the next working party which should be soon.
Get in touch if you’d like to know more or to get involved. Please email harstonresidents@gmail.com
