Western Morning News (Saturday)
National Trust buys more land on Devon coast
THE National Trust has acquired 16 hectares of land in North Devon. The Trust says wood pasture, species-rich grasslands and wetlands will be carefully restored, while giving greater and easier access for everyone.
The land, at Challacombe, joins up with the other half of a farm purchased by the Trust back in 1991. It can now be more sustainably grazed, and over time agricultural pollution prevented from reaching the beach at Combe Martin by slowing the flow of water and trapping sediment on the land. People of all abilities and interests can get closer to nature, following circular and lower lying, gentler walking routes out of Combe Martin and into Exmoor National Park.
The plan will see open access across much of the adjoining land hopefully in the summer, with some possible restrictions to implement planned works or for certain grazing.
Rob Joules, National Trust General Manager for North Devon, said: “This is a vital step forward in our vision for a vibrant corridor for nature along the North Devon coast. Nature recovery is at the heart of what we do, but so is connecting people with nature and the outdoors. In the future people will enjoy fantastic, uninterrupted access to some of the UK’s finest coastline, and will be free to explore some its most diverse and ecologically rich habitats.
“Over time we’ll work closely with our partners and the local community to reconnect more than 35 miles of coastal land between Combe Martin and Minehead – creating habitats that are bigger and in better condition, more joined up, and with more of them. Along this coastal corridor we’re working to protect endangered species such as the high brown fritillary butterfly, and to reintroduce native mammals and other animals back into the landscape.”
Andrea Davis, County Councillor for Combe Martin Rural, said: “This is exciting news for residents of Combe Martin and our visitors who come to enjoy the stunning scenery. Access to nature is so important to our wellbeing, one of the positives to come out of the pandemic is a greater awareness of the benefits of being outside, with more access planned and routes for all, this is a positive change for all.”
In the future it will be sustainably grazed by animals such as Exmoor ponies and cattle. Over time, this lower impact grazing will create a patchwork of wildflowers, scrub and trees full of colour and alive with nature. With less pressure on the grassland and with more scrubby areas, birds such as skylarks, meadow pipits, wrens and robins can find new homes, along with field mice, voles and even peregrine falcons.
With more trees and woodland connections, existing speckled wood and red admiral butterflies should also thrive. A growing number of volunteers will help to survey wildlife, plant trees and check up on the habitat. Careful management will also work towards control of run-off, flash floods and any compacting of the soil. Taking ownership of the river corridor and floodplain means water flow can be slowed – storing water, reducing agricultural pollution in the catchment and improving water quality at Combe Martin beach.
Mr Joules added: “We want to help solve global problems by taking positive local action. The world is facing a biodiversity and climate crisis and we need to play our part by providing more space for nature and doing more to store carbon across our land.”
On its new land the Trust can now create 1km2 of wetland habitat, increasing capacity to store and capture carbon. It will own more than 1km of the Challacombe stream, where it can re-naturalise the watercourse, create a natural buffer for flash flooding and capture soil run-off and pollution from the higher catchment helping to protect homes and businesses.
To buy the land, the Trust drew upon its North Devon & Devon Neptune acquisition funds.
This is a vital step forward in our vision for a vibrant corridor for nature along the North Devon coast ROB JOULES, NATIONAL TRUST