Woodland charity needs £750k to save farmland
The Woodland Trust needs £750,000 if it is to save 116 acres of farmland from potential development.
The money, which is needed by the end of May, will allow the charity to expand its extensive Hucking Estate.
Ten threatened bird species, including lapwings and skylarks, and 21 different butterflies species live on the land.
If bought, a mile of barbed wire will be torn down, trees will be planted and a young woodland will develop, while other areas will be managed as chalk grassland — a priority habitat that has seen a loss of up to 85% in the Kent Downs.
However, if unsuccessful the land would be sold on the open market and could be snapped up by anyone.
Clive Steward, site manager for the trust, said: “We need to seize this unique opportunity, and make sure that this land becomes a rich and diverse habitat. By letting some of the area naturally regenerate, the landscape will be released from human influence.”
The land could expand the estate, which covers 695 acres, by 20%.
Alan Bennett, chairman of planning for Hollingbourne Parish Council, welcomed the trust’s project, saying: “We’re very supportive of their efforts to preserve the countryside particularly given some of the recent housing proposals in the area.
“We’re not nimbys. We’ve offered alternatives but are rarely listened to.”
The Woodland Trust manages 1,000 sites covering almost 55,600 acres.
To donate go to woodlandtrust.org.uk/huckingappeal or phone 0330 333 3300.