Dorset Wildlife Trust partners with Natural England to acquire Lyscombe Farm

Dorset Wildlife Trust and Natural England have purchased 335 hectares of chalk downland and farmland at Lyscombe, 10 miles north-east of Dorchester. The land has been acquired for nature conservation and environmental restoration. It was made possible through Natural England’s National Nature Reserves programme, and planned nutrient mitigation credit scheme, alongside generous donations from Dorset Wildlife Trust’s members and supporters.

The farm lies within the Dorset Downs in an area of chalk grassland, scrub, wildflower meadows and ancient woodland. Existing designations include a 50-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and several Scheduled Monuments including Lyscombe Chapel. For several decades, the farm has practiced wildlife-friendly land management techniques within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Whilst the primary interest of all the partners is to see the area managed for nature recovery, this will also serve to reduce the levels of harmful nutrients entering Poole Harbour. Poole Harbour’s wildlife and water quality is suffering badly from an excess of nutrients coming down its waterways. These originate from both housing (via treated sewage which still contains high levels of nutrients) and significantly, from fertilisers and manure applied to farmed land. By adopting a more sustainable form of land management, nutrients entering the top of the catchment at Lyscombe will be reduced both by removing inputs, and through natural recovery measures such as creating new wetland habitat that can capture nutrients.

James Burland

Over the coming years, Dorset Wildlife Trust plans to enhance the habitat to support the site’s downland and enable increases in wildlife abundance throughout the landscape. We plan to use natural regeneration techniques and a rewilding approach blended with traditional conservation management and we will continue to graze livestock across the land. Through working with neighbouring landowners and farmers, the ambition is to use Lyscombe as a nucleus from which to create a nature recovery network across the wider Dorset Downs landscape.

This is amazing news for wildlife in Dorset. This purchase represents one of the largest land acquisitions in Dorset Wildlife Trust’s history and a major opportunity to make more space for nature in the Dorset landscape, to engage people in conserving Dorset’s rich natural heritage, and to transform the land into a wildlife-rich National Nature Reserve.

The UK has signed up to the Global Biodiversity Framework target to ensure that at least 30% of land and sea is effectively conserved and managed by 2030 (the ’30 by 30’ target). This major acquisition will be a significant building block to help reach that ambition in Dorset. At Dorset Wildlife Trust’s community rewilding project at Wild Woodbury, we have seen wildlife bounce back in just two years, with over 1,600 species now recorded, including nationally threatened species such as tree pipit, woodlark and hen harrier.

We also look forward to improving visitor access to this stunning landscape, particularly on existing footpaths and rights of way to help local people and visitors to enjoy this incredibly special place. We will create opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to learn about and enjoy nature and help to create a wildlife haven for everyone through volunteering.

Brian Bleese, Chief Executive
Dorset

We are delighted to be partnering with Dorset Wildlife Trust and others in this significant project which has the potential to substantially boost nature’s recovery in this part of Dorset. This is a great example of thinking creatively and bringing partners and different types of funding together. A large proportion of the funding is from Natural England’s nutrient mitigation scheme, meaning this work will offset the nutrient impact of much needed housing elsewhere in the Poole harbour catchment. While crucially playing its part in creating a beautiful landscape for people to come and enjoy for many years to come.

Rachel Williams, Deputy Director
Natural England

I eagerly anticipate Lyscombe becoming a haven for both nature and people and providing a cherished space for future generations to enjoy.

Mark Russell
Former owner of Lyscombe

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