Dorset Council Acquires Middle Farm for Nutrient Reduction and Rewilding Efforts
Source: The DairyNews
Dorset Council has agreed to purchase Middle Farm at Higher Kingcombe, adjacent to a Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) nature reserve. The council aims to transform the land into woodland or rewild it to reduce harmful nutrients from the farm entering local watercourses.
While the exact purchase price remains undisclosed, the council has secured a £4.63 million grant from the central government. It has not been confirmed whether the farm's cost exceeds or falls below this grant.
In a statement, the council highlighted that the farm's current intensive dairy use leads to significant run-off and soil erosion. "The land is ideally located to deliver both nutrient reduction and nature recovery in the headwaters of the River Hooke," the statement read. "Changing its use to woodland or rewilding can reduce nitrates as required and could be achieved with little investment."
The purchase, initially approved by the former Conservative administration, continues under the Liberal Democrats following the local elections. Dorset Council's initiative is supported by Natural England and involves discussions with DWT, which manages the neighboring Kingcombe National Nature Reserve.
In a statement, the council highlighted that the farm's current intensive dairy use leads to significant run-off and soil erosion. "The land is ideally located to deliver both nutrient reduction and nature recovery in the headwaters of the River Hooke," the statement read. "Changing its use to woodland or rewilding can reduce nitrates as required and could be achieved with little investment."
The purchase, initially approved by the former Conservative administration, continues under the Liberal Democrats following the local elections. Dorset Council's initiative is supported by Natural England and involves discussions with DWT, which manages the neighboring Kingcombe National Nature Reserve.
