Portal Woodlands Sale
Portal Woodlands Pledges Community Consultation
Portal Woodlands
Portal Woodlands is a valued and well-used local amenity for residents of Old Martlesham, Martlesham Heath and surrounding communities. Its 10 acres of woodland and open space provide an accessible setting for walking, cycling, recreation and quiet enjoyment, while also supporting biodiversity, wellbeing and access to nature close to home.
The woodland also has wider heritage and landscape significance, forming part of the setting of the former Martlesham Heath Airfield, linking to local walking routes including the Sandlings Walk, and containing a Bronze Age burial mound on site.
Portal Woodlands is now due to be sold. Martlesham Parish Council has secured Asset of Community Value (ACV) status for the woodland, and has triggered a moratorium to give time for a community bid to be prepared. However, ACV status does not guarantee a successful purchase, and the seller is not required to accept any offer made by the Council or by the community.
The Council is exploring all possible options and has welcomed expressions of support from neighbouring councils, including Kesgrave and Woodbridge, whose residents also use and value the woodland.
This is a significant undertaking for a Parish Council and there are important financial, legal and practical considerations to assess.
Over the coming months, resident feedback and evidence of community support will help inform the Council’s next steps and any potential funding discussions.
How residents can support this work:
• Volunteer to assist with the planned local leaflet distribution
• Display a Council sticker or poster where possible
• Complete the short questionnaire when it is delivered
• Provide brief written feedback on why Portal Woodlands matters to you and your household
• Consider whether you would be able to support any future community fundraising effort
• Share updates with neighbours who may wish to take part in the consultation
For more detail, please contact us via our Contact Us Form or by phone on 01473 612632 or 07355 311256
Gorseland Pupils Campaign to Save Portal Woods
Gorseland Primary School enjoys a unique privilege: the wonderful canopy of Portal Woods being right on their doorstep. However, the recent news that a 10-acre section of this beloved land is on the market has unsettled the school community, prompting pupils to deeply consider the possible impact on their learning and local area.
Instead of staying quiet, the passionate pupil Eco-Warriors have launched a campaign alongside Martlesham Parish Council. The children decided to write persuasive letters and wanted to create eye-catching posters to raise awareness.
"Everyone in our school and community enjoys accessing the woods – please don’t take something we love so much," pleaded one pupil. Further responses from the children highlight exactly what is at stake:
• "We would really like to be able to continue using it."
• "Protect the habitats in Portal Woods!"
• "It’s really fun to make dens and observe the wildlife."
Year 5 have recently completed a photography project in Portal Woods and one pupil poignantly shared: “The woodland area is such an important part of our learning. If the gorse was taken away to be just land, it would affect our whole identity.”
Deputy Head, Mrs. Maria Parsons, explained: “We actively encourage pupil voice and the children’s passion has really shone through as they have reflected on the possible impact of Portal Woods being sold. From a teaching perspective, the hands-on lessons taught under these trees are irreplaceable. The land is vital for our outdoor learning sessions, developing care, curiosity and a sense of wonder. We regularly access it for team building sessions, mindfulness nature walks, and as an outdoor classroom for historical enquiry, geography fieldwork, photography and filmmaking projects—all underpinned by our environment curriculum driver. Portal Woods is a shared treasure for our pupils, families and local residents.”
