A 5.3 acre wood adjoining a Lincoln housing estate is up for auction

And for £20,000, the Great Botany Bay Wood, next to Birchwood Avenue, could be yours.

The wood – the last surviving remnant of the original landscape which existed before the estate was developed – is full of birch, Scots pine and oak trees and is a haven for wildlife.

Whoever buys the land, which is to be sold at auction later this month, would have to keep the public rights of way open and observe the tree preservation orders.

The wood is currently owned by the Bedford-based Welfare Dwellings Trust Ltd.

Tim Atkinson, of The County Property Auction which is the property auctioneering arm of Lincoln-based estate agents JH Walter, said the directors of the company have decided that it is surplus to their requirements.

"Our thoughts are that it might appeal to a buyer who wishes to donate it to the community or someone interested in developing it as a wildlife sanctuary," he said.

Dr Ed Jones (54), who lives in Brigg Grove, near the wood, said: "My concern is it's going to be acquired by a developer.

"I know the wood has tree preservation orders on it but I think an astute developer could find ways around that.

"I think it would be nice if the owner simply handed it over to the public."

The wood is one of the more unusual lots to be sold at auction at the Bentley Hotel, in South Hykeham, on April 29, from 3pm.

For more on the Great Botany Bay Wood, plus details of other lots in the sale, see Monday's Echo.