Good turnout for meeting on project plans
Residents were invited to talk to the National Trust about the Woolbeding Reimagined project and its plans for the estate, nature, the environment and people in March.
A National Trust spokesman said: “Over 200 people attended our open day in Midhurst on Wednesday, March 20, led by the National Trust’s South Downs West team, with the support of the South Downs National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission.
“We were very touched by this remarkable turn out from people in the community and are grateful for their honest, heartfelt and committed feedback on our plans.
“We all want the National Trust’s countryside at Woolbeding to be well looked after, peaceful and productive, while giving nature the best possible chance to thrive here.
“The work at Woolbeding is part of a bigger project to reverse the fortunes of our local wildlife. It includes restoring the River Rother and its floodplain to help species such as kingfisher, lapwing and wild trout, and improving the condition of the internationally important Woolbeding Common.
“At Woolbeding Common our plans include methods to control the levels of scrub, which are encroaching upon and harming this fragile lowland heathland ecosystem and its flora and fauna.
“On the farm, we’re aiming to stabilise soils and, as a result, improve the health of the river.
“We are creating new woodland and wood pasture, which will support wildlife such as nightingales, turtle doves and orchids, while sequestering carbon.
“We feel very fortunate to have the support of people locally.
“Where people raised concerns, we are grateful for the chance to learn from their feedback and make improvements.”