Manx Wildlife Trust has secured a long-term lease on two parcels of land adjacent to MWT Hairpin Woodland Park near Ramsey.
The land, previously held as Bona Vacantia, has been acquired through a 95-year lease from the Department of Infrastructure.
This aligns with MWT’s existing 99-year lease with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) for other parts of MWT Hairpin Woodland Park, which is now four years into its term.
Woodland Park
Combined with land already owned by MWT, the leases secure long-term nature recovery, community access and sustainable management, with conifers at Claughbane restored to native woodland.
MWT Hairpin Woodland Park, formally opened to the public in 2024, has quickly become a flagship engagement site for MWT.
The addition of these two parcels allows MWT to expand woodland creation, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen habitat connectivity, while continuing to provide a welcoming place for people to connect with nature.
The project is being supported by the Rotary Club of Douglas, whose funding is helping MWT deliver its work at MWT Hairpin Woodland Park.
Long Term Lease
Graham Makepeace-Warne, Chief Executive Officer of Manx Wildlife Trust, said: “Securing this long-term lease is a hugely positive step for nature and for the Manx community.
“By aligning the DOI and DEFA leases, we now have the certainty needed to plan for decades of woodland creation and restoration, biodiversity recovery and public engagement.
“MWT Hairpin Woodland Park is at the heart of one of our largest population centres, showing what can be achieved when Government, charities and community partners work together for people and wildlife.
“This long-term project aims to show that nature and wilder spaces do not need to be confined to the open countryside but can be at the heart of our urban communities too, where they can have even greater benefits for public access and our own wellbeing.”
The two parcels amount to 10.73 acres of developing broadleaf woodland and grassland within woodland glades criss-crossed by a network of paths.
The latest expansion increased MWT Hairpin Woodland Park to from 63.11 to 73.84 acres immediately adjacent to the Claughbane suburb of Ramsey.
