Furlong Wood, Ffos Las, Carmarthenshire, Wales, SA17

Furlong Wood provides an exciting opportunity at a relatively early stage of the woodland’s development to have important input into its future evolution as a commercially managed woodland. There is the possibility to shape the long-term structure of the woodland, and crucially in doing so the ability to benefit from the financial and tax advantages of demonstrating commercial management.

A mix of planned planting and colonisation by pioneer species such as birch, willow and alder are now well established amongst rowan, cherry and hazel. The climate and rainfall levels are conducive to promoting growth here and the woodland landscape is developing rapidly as a result. The relatively low altitude and coastal location enjoys the frequent rainfall carried by prevailing south-westerlies that are so important to the establishment of the woodland into this picturesque landscape.

A tumbling stream descends the terrain along the boundary with neighbouring woodland, channelling water from the gentle slope, bringing with it important habitat for insect and bird life, as well as supporting the moisture tolerant tree species that thrive in this environment.

Boundaries

Boundaries are defined by features such as existing tracks, streams, fences and well-defined drainage ditches. There is no fencing obligation for a new owner.

Tenure

The freehold is available including any sporting rights that pass with the land. There is no VAT chargeable on the purchase price.

Ownership

The benefits of woodland ownership have recently become more widely acknowledged. There is a good deal of flexibility when acquiring woodland to do so in such a way that can assist with inheritance tax planning for planning for future generations. In addition, during the period of ownership there is currently no income tax payable on sales of timber from the woodland. There may also be capital gains tax benefits relating to the increase in value of trees as standing timber and there are no business rates or annual taxes on woodland.

Planning for the best financial outcome from woodland ownership starts with a well conceived Woodland Management Plan. This is a woodland-specific document that sets out the long term aims for the woodland with the focus of commercial management in mind. At Legacy Forestry, we provide buyers with a bespoke Woodland Management Plan drafted by a forestry professional who will not only be able to advise on your personal aims for managing the woodland but also have the local contacts to contract any forestry operations necessary to carry out specific objectives.

There is also a further consideration that comes with the opportunity to own woodland. Apart from HMRC’s favourable tax treatment of commercial forestry investments, woodland ownership also brings with it the enormous additional rewards of stewardship of the countryside and a chance to conserve, manage and enjoy a precious and important environment.

Access

Access is direct from the public highway at point A to B on the plan. There is a gate at this point. This land prior to its regeneration as woodland has previously been the site of an open cast mine and the access track now also serves a solar energy generation facility. As such there is a well established, hard access track that runs most of the way to the woodland boundary. The first section is sealed and then continues as a historic woodland grade track with stone sub base. There is an additional point of access from the north and a new road is under construction to this point.

There are a number of public rights of way along the designated routes through the wood as shown on the Ordinance Survey plan and the main track through the wood provides a right of way for neighbouring woodland.

Location

Furlong Wood is located within the county of Carmarthenshire and close to the coastal town of Llanelli. It is 18 miles west of the Swansea and 11 miles south Carmarthen. The entrance is ¼ mile north of the village of Trimsaran at the first turning into the racecourse.

Viewing and Directions

Please contact Dan Sharp on 07780 900192 to arrange a visit. You are welcome to visit this wood by yourself, but as many woodlands do not have mobile phone reception or internet access, please try and make sure you have a copy of these sales details with you. Please be aware of potential hazards within the woodland when viewing.