I decided to post this here rather than next door as I think it does fit the remit, sadly. As one of the many who finds beauty and inspiration in the living heritage of our ancient woodlands, this is deplorable.
I think we've all realised years ago that nothing in this country is sacred anymore once government gets its grubby hands on it. This is quite appalling if the story is accurate and true. Even if the land was sold off with a condition that no building or golf courses etc were allowed to be built over it, it is still being lost to us as a place of serenity and beauty once in private hands. As you rightly say, deplorable.