A SUCCESSFUL community crowdfunding campaign "clearly stood out" among potential buyers looking to secure a 20 acre stretch of woodland above Otley, in the village of Weston, an estate agent has said.

A sale has now been agreed on East Wood after the campaign organised by Wharfedale residents raised more than the site’s £100,000 guide price.

The woodland was marketed by the specialist agricultural division of Yorkshire estate agent, Dacre, Son & Hartley.

Ian Cox, a director at Dacre, Son & Hartley, who heads up the firm’s agricultural and development team, said: “As soon as we started marketing this site, we were able to generate a lot of attention from potential buyers, because manageable blocks of amenity woodland, in this area, don’t change hands regularly.

“However, the interest from The Friends of East Wood and Menston Area Nature Trust clearly stood out for both its ambition and the way it would benefit the local community and protect the site for future generations.

“We were delighted to be able to present their offer to the site’s owner and agree this sale following the commitment shown by the local community.”

The crowdfunding campaign was organised by The Friends of East Wood, which consists of several local groups, and Menston Area Nature Trust. More than 1,500 people donated to the campaign which has raised more than £140,000 to date, including a philanthropic loan from environmental campaigner Julia Davies of ‘We Have The Power’.

A spokesperson from The Friends of East Wood, said: “The woodland will now be accessible to the community in perpetuity, held by Menston Area Nature Trust. We have been blown away by the incredible response to our campaign, with close to 1,500 people donating and raising a whopping £140,000 to date. This is just amazing and is a testament to our fabulous community and their connection to this wonderful area of accessible greenspace.”

The mixed deciduous woodland mainly consists of mature species, along with some that have been restocked, including sycamore, oak and birch, alongside wild garlic, bluebells and flowers that offer a blaze of colour in the spring months.

The site is largely enclosed by a mixture of stone walls and fences and is accessed via a track directly from Weston Lane. A public footpath follows the route of the track and exits on the eastern boundary, and Yorkshire Water have a right of access along the track to a pump house that they own within East Wood.