Attenborough-backed appeal secures £30m estate

Published8 hours ago

Conservationists have completed the purchase of a huge upland estate following a two-year £30m public appeal backed by the likes of Sir David Attenborough.

The Wildlife Trusts - a federation of 47 conservation charities - and Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) plan to "enhance the rich natural heritage" of the Rothbury Estate, a 9,500-acre stretch of former grouse moor, woodland and farmland - having headed off fears it could be split among multiple owners.

Broadcaster Sir David described it as an opportunity "to create something very special for generations to come".

Not everyone supported the campaign, though, with some local farmers having warned the purchase would be "a folly".

Owned by Lord Max Percy, the Duke of Northumberland's youngest son, the estate had been in the family for about 700 years and was understood to be the largest area of land put up for sale in England in decades.

Worried public access could become more difficult if it was divided between owners, the wildlife organisations bought an initial tract in 2024 covering the Simonside Hills and a mixture of lowland, woods, riverside and farmland.

That also saw them strike a deal to purchase the remainder of the estate if they could raise the £30m in two years with ambitions for it to become a 40-mile (64km) "wild" corridor, stretching from the North East coast to Kielder and the Scottish border.

It has now been announced they have taken out a "low-interest loan to bridge the short-term funding gap between pledged monies still to be received and the fundraising target, ensuring completion of the entire estate".

'Extraordinary landscape'

NWT chief executive Mike Pratt said the campaign had been "remarkable".

"Opportunities of this scale and significance are incredibly rare.

"By securing this extraordinary landscape, we've the potential to create a flagship for nature recovery supported by sustainable farming whilst delivering lasting benefits for wildlife, local people and the rural economy."

Backing last year by Sir David, who serves as president emeritus of the Wildlife Trusts, led to a surge in donations with more than £1m being brought in from across the globe in a week.

Commenting on the appeal's success, he said: "Now the opportunity to bring the vision of a landscape where nature and people thrive side by side can become a reality.

"This will be a place where nature, community, farming and heritage can combine to create something very special."

More than 25,000 people donated, NWT said, with other major contributions including a £5m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in March this year.

This week it was announced the government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had pledged £1.94m, taking the appeal to within touching distance of its target.

Why is the area so coveted?

The estate has a number of important wildlife habitats, conservationists say, with some already designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Species such as curlew, mountain bumblebee, lapwing and other wading birds have made it their home with endangered red squirrels finding safety in the woods.

Harebell, wild thyme and mountain pansy flower colourfully in summer months, with salmon and under-threat eels spotted in the rivers.

The wildlife trusts believe "this rich tapestry of wildlife could be richer still" if more species return over the next 10 years.

There are also hopes pine marten, beavers and ancient breeds of cattle could become common sights.

Opinion 'finely split'

The plan was not universally popular though.

Chris Armstrong, a tenant farmer overseeing 1,000 acres close to the site, was among those questioning it.

He told the BBC earlier this year the community was split over the issue: "The most recent strapline seems to be 'time is running out to save the Rothbury Estate'.

"The Rothbury Estate doesn't need saving. Saving from what?"

"I would put it very much akin to the Brexit vote, I would think it would be that finely split.

"I think the majority of the farming community see this as a folly."

Meanwhile, Defra's contribution has come under fire from Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, chairman of Northumberland Conservatives.

He said the pledge showed the government "has its priorities wrong" in light of difficulties people across the country have faced securing sustainable farming incentive (SFI) funding.

"Farmers were left scrambling in an application window that opened and closed the same day," Renner-Thompson said.

"Yet ministers can find nearly £2m to help a charity buy an estate."

In response, Nature Minister Jenny Riddell-Carpenter said the government was "stepping in to help" having seen thousands of members of the public give their support for a "once-in-a-generation opportunity".

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Related internet links

Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Northumberland Wildlife Trust

The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trusts