A developer of a luxury woodland scheme near Marlow has defended its actions after residents raised concerns over the project.

The Finnamore Wood Preservation Group had penned a letter detailing its grievances over the Moorewood Glade development on the former prison camp site, signed by more than 30 residents.

Criticisms raised by residents in the letter included the installation of a 2.4-metre-high green metal fence, wildlife disruption, and attempts to close off “long-used footpaths”.

Residents had said they didn’t have “beef” with the property developers and were instead, angry with Buckinghamshire Council over its handling over the scheme, which it said had “robbed” them of their democratic rights.

Zafiro Homes, the developer behind the scheme, has now responded to those concerns following a request for comment from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It said Moorewood Glade is a private residential redevelopment of a former government-owned institutional site which had remained “vacant and derelict for many years”.

Zafiro Homes said it acquired the site about a year ago from the previous developer and has since been implementing the scheme in accordance with planning permissions granted by Buckinghamshire Council.

It addresses the concerns by residents over fencing, wildlife disruption and the use of footpaths.

“The woodland surrounding the estate has always remained privately owned land and forms part of the wider managed estate,” it explained.

“It is subject to ongoing environmental, ecological and estate management obligations, including woodland safety works, habitat management and the management of dangerous ash dieback.

“The fencing currently being installed forms part of those management and boundary security measures.

“It has also become necessary due to longstanding issues of trespass, anti-social behaviour, vandalism, interference with estate infrastructure and repeated unauthorised access onto private land, including interference with newly installed fencing and safety works.

“In addition, as an active construction site, we have legal responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations to ensure the site is properly secured and that unauthorised persons are prevented from entering areas where works and associated safety risks exist.”

Zafiro Homes went on to explain a retrospective planning application relating to elements of the fencing is currently in progress.

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They added: “We understand the council has already publicly confirmed that officers concluded the works would likely receive planning permission.

“Suggestions that the fencing or associated works have been carried out without ecological consideration are incorrect.

“Ecological and arboricultural matters have been considered throughout the planning and management process and works are being undertaken in conjunction with professional advice and ongoing liaison with the relevant authorities where required.”

They also went on to assert that it was “inaccurate” to suggest that the woodland, which “has always been privately owned”, is somehow newly being taken from the public.

Zafiro Homes added: “While some local residents have asserted historic use of routes through the woodland, those matters are currently the subject of ongoing Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) applications and have not yet been determined. There is currently no recorded public right of way through the woodland.

“We have obtained specialist King’s Counsel advice in relation to the rights of way issues, which has been shared with Buckinghamshire Council and local residents as part of ongoing engagement and transparency regarding the legal position.

“The current works relate to the responsible management, protection and securing of private woodland following many years of informal and unmanaged access.

We have also made considerable efforts to engage constructively with residents, including holding resident meetings and corresponding extensively regarding the legal position, estate management obligations and ongoing concerns raised locally.

“While we appreciate that some residents remain disappointed regarding aspects of the development and access arrangements, our focus remains on managing the estate responsibly, protecting the woodland environment and ensuring public safety.

“In relation to the wider development, the scheme has been subject to a lengthy planning process over a number of years, including amendments and technical applications considered through the statutory planning framework. Those matters are ultimately determined by Buckinghamshire Council as local planning authority.”