Rothbury Estate bought for £30m after public appeal
The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust secured the 9,500-acre site with significant public and lottery funding.
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The Rothbury Estate in Northumberland has been bought for £30 million by The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust. This acquisition, covering 9,500 acres, is the largest land purchase in England for many years. The deal followed a two-year fundraising effort.
Funding sources
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The purchase was financed through a combination of public donations, grants, and other funds. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) contributed approximately £1.9 million. The National Lottery Heritage Fund provided £5 million. Public donations amounted to £17 million, with contributions coming from over 25,000 individuals in 50 countries.
Sir David Attenborough, president emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, thanked the public for their support. He stated that the appeal to secure the estate's future had been successful. He added that the vision for a landscape where nature and people can coexist is now achievable. He described the estate as a place where nature, community, farming, and heritage can combine.
The appeal to secure the future of the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland has been successful and now the opportunity to bring the vision of a landscape where nature and people thrive side by side can become a reality.
Sir David Attenborough, president emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts
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Future plans for the estate
The project aims to focus on nature-friendly farming practices and the restoration of peat bogs, alongside enhancing wildlife across the estate. Sir David Attenborough's early endorsement of the appeal reportedly generated more than £1 million in donations within its first week. Eilish McGuinness, chief executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, noted the project's potential for large-scale nature recovery and reconnecting people with heritage. Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, called the purchase a defining moment for the region, highlighting the opportunity to create a flagship for nature recovery supported by sustainable farming.
Initial work has already begun on parts of the estate, including surveys of wildlife, landscapes, and historical features.
Questions this report answers
+How much did the Rothbury Estate cost?
The Rothbury Estate in Northumberland was purchased for £30 million. This significant sum was raised through a combination of public donations, grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and contributions from DEFRA.
+Who bought the Rothbury Estate?
The Rothbury Estate was bought by The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust. The acquisition was supported by a large public fundraising campaign and significant grant funding.
+How was the purchase of the Rothbury Estate funded?
The £30 million purchase was funded by £17 million in public donations, £5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and £1.9 million from DEFRA. This diverse funding stream enabled the acquisition.
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