Dorset Council has decided to purchase a dairy farm as part of an environmental initiative aimed at rewilding the area.
Currently Middle Farm, situated at Higher Kingcombe in West Dorset, is considered ‘not ideal’ by the council due to pollution concerns.
This ‘intensive’ farm is adjoining to a Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) nature reserve, with worries regarding run-off and soil erosion.
The purchase price for the farm remains undisclosed, though Dorset Council recently received a government grant exceeding £4.6m.
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The local authority stated: “The land is ideally located to deliver both nutrient reduction and nature recovery in the headwaters of the River Hooke.
“Changing its use to woodland or rewilding can reduce nitrates as required and could be achieved with little investment.”
The council mentioned that Natural England is supporting the project, and there have been ‘positive’ discussions with Dorset Wildlife Trust regarding the initiative.
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