Gorne Wood
UPDATE regarding - Concerns over Gorne wood property listings
Since the land owners put 8A Courtrai Road SE23 up for sale last Saturday we have been working hard to try and update the local community and stakeholders as well as get some answers from the Council and some legal advice regarding the handling of this Asset of Community Value.
It transpires that Lewisham Council have not been updating their Asset of Community Value List on their website over the last couple of years and because it is out of date and does not reflect current ACV details, the land owner may be able to market the site without giving the community it’s temporary protection period. Although this undermines the Asset of Community Value process, we have been assured by the Council that if a sale is attempted the ACV designation will prevent any transaction. Naturally we are very concerned that our rights have been impacted in this way and are are seeking advice on what measures we can take.
We would suggest that any community group who have an ACV listed with the Council check their Asset is properly recorded to avoid a similar situation. In the meantime we have contacted the property websites that are marketing the land to inform them that the site is an ACV as well as the fact that it is designated as Metropolitan Open Land (a fact not mentioned in the sales listing) and to highlight the errors contained within the listings such as incorrect sales history.
We have contacted our MP Ellie Reeves who has always supported this project as well as Cllr.James Walsh who we have asked to meet with us urgently. We have been requesting a meeting since the Local Plan was adopted in July 2025 and are hopeful that we will be offered a meeting soon.
We have also contacted the Lewisham branches of the four main political parties to brief them on the Gorne Wood Project so that they understand the importance of this project to Crofton Park residents, neighbouring wards and in particular Lewisham schools.
On Thursday morning we spoke to the children of Prendergast Primary School in Ladywell Ward updating them on the current situation and will be offering an update to the children of John Stainer School and Turnham School in Telegraph Hill Ward, Rathfern School in Rushey Green Ward and Elfrida School in Bellingham Ward who all campaigned so hard for this project.
The Council have told us that they are in the process of writing a report for Mayor and Cabinet that summaries the benefits of the Gorne Wood land acquisition as well as the risks for them to consider. It is really important that they hear from as many people as possible on how important this land is to the community, to wildlife and to Lewisham’s green heritage.
Please contact your MP, your local councillors and Cllr.James Walsh.
ellie.reeves.mp@parliament.uk
James-J.Walsh@lewisham.gov.uk
It does not matter if you do not live in Crofton Park Ward. This a Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and is Metropolitan Open Land and as such it’s value is of London wide significance and not only valuable at ward or borough level.
As candidates knock on your doors canvassing for votes for the 2026 local elections please remind them that this Asset is important to you and needs to be in safe hands after decades of unforgivably damaging neglect.
We will keep you updated and thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
Thanks again for all your support.
Please rest assured we are doing all we can and will keep you updated.
Gorne Wood in Lewisham, South East London has been designated by Natural England as Ancient Woodland. It is the closest Ancient Woodland to the City of London. Sadly, during 20 years of ownership by a property developer the site has been severely neglected. The Fourth Reserve Foundation is campaigning to return this ancient woodland to community use and to restore the woodland areas.
Phase 1 (Partially complete) – The charity launched a massive fundraising campaign to buy back the land from the property developer. As of January 2023, thanks to your donations, we are delighted to say that we reached the fundraising milestone of GBP100,000 to support this purchase.
However, purchase of Gorne Wood has to happen via a Lewisham Council-led compulsory purchase order (CPO). This complex purchase process may now take up to three years to complete. The site first needs to be designated as Metropolitan Open Land. See the timeline for more information on what we are doing.
A Lewisham Council spokesperson said “We are looking to improve the planning protections for this site by designating it as Metropolitan Open Land in our new draft Local Plan, which would prevent inappropriate development such as housing from taking place. Following the recent fundraising campaign, we will be working with the local community to explore next steps for this important piece of land.”
Plan of Christ Hospital Land, Brockley (now Crofton Park) by Ralph Treswell (1600). Source Metropolitan Archives, with modern annotations.
Phase 2 – Fourth Reserve will undo the decades-long damage to Gorne Wood, planting trees, and restoring ponds and meadow habitats. The derelict Scout hut will be removed, as it is currently a dangerous eyesore. Instead, we will create more environmentally sympathetic structures, which people can use for activities, courses and events celebrating nature and/ or promoting wellbeing.
We will work with volunteers to manage Gorne Wood to enhance its biodiversity, and to protect it for future generations.
Gorne Wood FAQs
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Where is Gorne Wood ?
Gorne Wood lies along the railway line connecting Honor Oak Park and Brockley Stations in South East London, between Courtrai Road and Buckthorne Road.
Gorne Wood is located next to Buckthorne Nature Reserve, run by the Fourth Reserve, which forms a wildlife corridor with Gorne Wood.
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What is Gorne Wood and what does the name mean?
Gorne Wood is historically made up of two sections, separated by an old boundary line. The area around the Scout hut and the rest of Gorne Wood, which is comparatively undisturbed ancient woodland.
“Gorne” is an obscure word, however research suggests gāra in Old English meant “a gore” which was a triangular plot of ground or a point of land. This word was probably derived from OE gar, “spear”, meaning a piece of ground shaped like the head of a spear, which is exactly the shape of Gorne Wood on the Treswell map.
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Why won’t all of this site always be publicly accessible?
Phase II proposals mean that the area around the existing Scout hut, fronting onto Courtrai Road will be more openly accessible for community use, for therapeutic, educational and leisure activities, promoting nature and wellbeing. However, the area away from Courtrai Road along the railway line will be a haven for nature and occasionally accessible on open days and volunteering workdays, in the same way that Buckthorne Nature Reserve is today.
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Why isn’t Gorne Wood open yet if you have the money?
The Fourth Reserve would love Gorne Wood to be under the care of an owner who prioritises nature as soon as possible, and we are working towards this goal. However compulsory land purchase and the legalities surrounding that take time, sadly. It is important that Gorne Wood is designated Metropolitan Open Land first by Lewisham Council, which will help the CPO succeed.
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What is the history of Gorne Wood?
A more recent name for Gorne Wood was the Dandy Fifth Park. In 2022 we celebrated the Dandy Fifth Park’s centenary. Metropolitan Mayor Charles Henry Dodd and Sir Philip Dawson MP declared that this park was to be for the communities of Deptford and Lewisham.
The creation of The Dandy Fifth Park honoured the the local scout troop who patrolled the railway during World War I. The first scout hut was built using money donated by the local community. It was bombed in World War II, and has survived two fires in the years since. Each time the communities of Brockley and Honor Oak Park rallied round to help restore it. More about the history of the area.
The fundraising to support Phase 2 is ongoing.
You can support this campaign in two ways today. By making a donation and by adding your name to the campaign supporters list.