A federation of wildlife charities plans to create a ‘showcase for nature recovery’ after buying a rural estate in the largest land sale in England for three decades.
The Wildlife Trusts has partnered with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to buy the 3,800-hectare (9,400-acre) Rothbury estate in England’s north-east. The land was owned by the Duke of Northumberland’s son, Lord Max Percy, and had been in the family for seven centuries. It was previously used for game shooting and rearing sheep, but the new ownership spells the end of hunting – and farming will be regenerative only.
Under a two-phase deal, the charities have already bought a sizeable chunk of the estate, including the Simonside Hills (pictured) and a mixture of lowland, woods, riverside and farmland. A public appeal has been launched to raise £30m to buy the remainder. Notable wildlife includes curlew, red grouse, merlin, cuckoo, mountain bumblebee, emperor moth and red squirrels.
“This is a thrilling moment for The Wildlife Trusts who are working collectively – coming together from across the UK – to create a national flagship for nature recovery for the very first time,” said the federation’s chief executive, Craig Bennett. “It’s a historic moment for our federation.”
Image: Duncan Hutt