Wildlife Trusts Acquire Lord’s Ancestral Estate

A rural ancestral estate, comprising nearly 9,500 acres, is being acquired by a consortium of wildlife charities. The Rothbury Estate, situated in Northumberland, was previously owned by Lord Max Percy, the Duke of Northumberland’s youngest son, and had been held by the family for approximately 700 years. The Wildlife Trusts and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT) have completed the purchase of a portion of the estate and have launched a £30 million appeal to fund the acquisition of the remaining land. Mike Pratt, NWT chief executive, commented: “We’re very excited to be part of a once in a generation opportunity for securing a stunning area of countryside where people and nature can thrive side by side.” Estate agent Knight Frank had previously characterized the land as “the largest block of land to come on the market in England in the last 30 years.” The property included 12 farms, over 1,800 acres of woodland, opportunities for fishing and shooting, 23 residential properties, a caravan park, and a pub. The current acquisition encompasses the Simonside Hills and a mix of lowland, woods, riverside areas, and farmland on the western side of the Estate. Mr. Pratt indicated that the charities plan to engage in “talking and listening to people who live and work in the area.” He further stated: “We want to evolve a long-term plan for the estate that respects its traditions and the livelihoods that depend on it.” He added: “We will preserve and enhance public access and recreational opportunities to allow people to enjoy this wonderful place.” Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, described the purchase as a “historic moment.” He remarked: “This is Wildlife Trusts working collectively and coming together from across the UK to create a national flagship for nature recovery for the very first time.” However, Steven Bridgett, an independent councillor for Rothbury, stated he would be keeping a “watchful eye” on the project. He commented: “Whether this benefits the local community, those that have farmed the land for generations and have put food on our tables, remains to be seen.” He concluded: “The environment is important but just as important is food security and we can’t eat bark.” Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.