Cumnor parish council are continuing the fundraising drive to purchase the Cumnor Hurst from the landowner, All Souls College, via Savills Estate Agents (The All Souls College portion of the Hurst is roughly half of the entire site. The other half, with the pit in it, is owned by a private charity).
In order to ensure that the Cumnor Hurst continues to be enjoyed by all residents in the future, Cumnor parish council have made an offer to All Souls College for the purchase of the Cumnor Hurst dependent on the ability to raise the funds to do so. Negotiation is ongoing, so it is not clear how much will need to be raised. Cumnor parish council is aiming to raise £50,000 and a generous donor has offered to match any donations up to £25,000. If you wish to donate to the Cumnor Hurst fund, please contact the parish clerk by email: clerk@cumnorparishcouncil.org.uk with Hurst Fund in the email subject line.Cumnor parish council previously held a long-term lease with All Souls College that ran for 21 years. This long-term lease ran out in February of this year, and All Souls College have had a change in outlook for this piece of land, which our Big Survey for the Neighbourhood Plan identified as one of the most valued community amenities available within the Parish.

The site is designated as having Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, which requires the land to have a Site Management Plan, which has to be agreed with the national body Natural England. Cumnor parish council have agreed with All Souls College to continue to manage this plan for them through the expertise of the Cumnor Conservation Group on a supplemental lease that runs until August 2026. Cumnor parish council has done this to ensure that the site is managed on the same basis as the last 21 years so that the SSSI status and green open space is maintained for the benefit of the community whilst purchase negotiations are ongoing

The community is fortunate that the Cumnor Conservation Group provide all of the expertise, labour and passion for enhancing and maintaining the site free of charge. This is aided with support from Cumnor Parish Council as leaseholder and grant aid for things such as the Dexter cows grazing the plants that would otherwise threaten the SSSI status.

All Souls College via Savills has carried out a valuation that places a £92,000k price tag for any prospective purchaser when they bring the land to market.

In stark contrast, the private charity that owns the other half of the Cumnor Hurst is currently in talks with us to transfer that land to Cumnor Parish Council in exchange for covering their legal fees only.