BIRCHAM Wood is no longer public property and the identity of its private buyer is a mystery.

Several bids were received for the 50-acre wood near Coleford, which was sold by estate agent John Clegg & Co on behalf of the Forestry Commission.

There were three sealed bids for the wood, which has been owned by the Crown and then the public since 1802, but the identity of the winning bidder nor what they paid for the land will only be revealed when the Land Register is updated in a few months' time.

The sale was completed last Friday. Forestry Commission land agent Richard Davies said the buyer had previously bought Forestry land and "should not give anyone cause for concern".

A homeowner bordering the wood in Newland said many neighbours were worried.