UKC

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have jointly purchased part of the Rothbury Estate, the largest single piece of land to go on sale in England in 30 years. The aim is to create a "showcase for nature recovery on a vast scale" as well as enhancing public access and recreation.

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If you're fed up with rich landowners trying to withdraw public access and degrading their land for all the usual sh*t like shooting animals a couple of times a year then this must be worth donating to if you can afford it. I just have.

Personally, I'd rather it was compulsory purchase by the state at a nominal (I.e. much lower) fee. But until that happens, I guess buying them out is the best we can hope for. 

The state, has an unfortunate habit of selling off things we own.

Being owned by multiple charities, should put it out of reach of even the most insidious culture warriors. (See National Trust and right wing 'anti woke' attempted take over.)

Yeah, it's a very good outcome in the grand scheme of things. Excited to see more of this kind of thing.

This is great news.

As others have noted, in the absence of proper political will for compulsory purchase or resourcing and legislation for community right to buy south of Carlisle, this movement by nature conservation organisations to buy some of these big estates is to be welcomed, I think.

If folks are interested in the ongoing conversation around land and stewardship, I'd highly recommend Guy Shrubsole's 'The Lie of the Land'. Think he's doing an event or two at Kendal as well. I'm currently midway through 'the new enclosure' which deals with the mass selling off of public land since the 1980s. Depressing but enlightening. 

This is great news! Probably the best thing the Duke of Northumberland has done bearing in mind that to most locals here in North Northumberland he's about as popular as anthrax!  

Bear in mind the Duke gifted the land to his son, who promptly put it up for sale as he preferred to have the money. By all accounts the Duke was less than impressed. 

Is that 55m high rusty spike near the Wanneys still going ahead! 😪

Yes, preparation of the gates and tracks coming off the road has begun recently I believe...