Press Release
MAJOR UK FENLAND WILDLIFE HABITAT TO BE CREATED
23 May 2007
The Crown Estate has sold 1,295 hectaces (3,200 acres) of land to the Great Fen Project, it was announced today. The sale will help create one of Europe’s largest fenland wildlife habitats.
The Great Fen Project aims to restore fenland between Huntingdon and Peterborough connecting the Woodwalton Fen and Home Fen National Nature Reserves. The completed fen will be a 3,700 hectare (9,140 acre) mosaic of open water, reed beds, grassland and woodland landscapes.
Once completed, the Great Fen Project will provide protection to internationally important communities of wetland plants and animals once common in the Fens and a habitat for new species. In addition, careful management of resources will see nature conservation and management working hand-in-hand with tourism and other income-generating activities – such as sustainable agriculture and free range meat production – to guarantee the long term future for the site.
Fenland will be restored in stages working in a productive and consultative relationship with tenant farmers. The Great Fen Project will also develop visitor amenities and educational services as well as boat moorings, walks, bridleways and cycle paths around the site providing access for community and leisure purposes.
Chris Gerrard, Great Fen Project Manager, said: “This land acquisition is an exciting step forward for the Great Fen Project. It will enable us to realise further the project’s objectives of connecting and enlarging two vitally important National Nature Reserves and achieving the balanced goals of nature conservation, local access tourism and education. We look forward to building a land partnership with our tenants and other local people.”
Nick Harper, Head of Rural Asset Management and Development at The Crown Estate, said: “The Crown Estate owns and manages a significant amount of rural land across the UK, and with that comes a responsibility for environmental stewardship and ensuring sustainability. This sale to the Great Fen Project is an example of a sound commercial decision that is right for our estate and right for the environment, whilst creating new opportunities for tenants and businesses alongside conservation.
“The Great Fen project is not only exciting and ambitious but vital if we are to maintain and protect the biodiversity we have long enjoyed in the UK. We are pleased to be able to work with the project team to help realise their vision.”
The Crown Estate will retain a selection of buildings that will be developed with the project managers to compliment activity on the site. Plans include facilities for visitors or the development of new ‘eco’ offices.
The Great Fen Project is a partnership between the Environment Agency, Natural England, Huntingdonshire District Council and the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough.
Further Information
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