Dorset Council plans to buy dairy farm for rewilding
© Tim Scrivener Dorset Council is pressing ahead with plans to buy a dairy farm for a rewilding project within its boundaries.
In a statement, the council said part of Middle Farm, in Higher Kingcombe, is being used as a dairy farm which is “not ideal” as it suffers from run-off and erosion as it is managed “intensively”.
The council wants to buy the farm and change its use of land for woodland or rewilding.
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Dorset Council says it has held “positive discussions” with Dorset Wildlife Trust, which manages Kingcombe National Nature Reserve next to the farmland.
The council announced in March that it had been awarded a £4.63m local nutrient migration grant from central government to tackle water pollution and prevent pollution into Poole.
It is understood that money from the government eco grant will be used for the purchase of Middle Farm. But Dorset Council has declined to say how much.
A council spokesperson said it was also unable to reveal the purchase price due to “commercial sensitivities”.
The decision to buy the farm for the rewilding project was initially taken by the Conservative administration, and it being taken forward by the Liberal Democrats after they took control of Dorset Council following the local elections in May.
According to Dorset Council’s website, a final decision on the purchase of the farm is due to be made by the cabinet by 10 September 2024.
Nutrient reduction
A Dorset Council spokesman said the land in question was ideally located to deliver both nutrient reduction and nature recovery but was not ideal for a dairy farm, as it is managed intensively and suffers from run-off and soil erosion.
“Changing its use to woodland or rewilding can reduce nitrates as required and could be achieved with little investment.”
The spokesman added that Dorset Council is considering several alternative projects for nutrient mitigation and discussions around the purchase of Dorset farmland for nature recovery “are still ongoing”.
“Dorset Council remains steadfast in its support for our farmers, who work hard to maintain British food security, and are a vital part of our local community and economy,” he added.
“This potential land purchase is about delivering nutrient mitigation for development in the Poole Harbour catchment area, and is certainly not indicative of any wider policy to reduce agricultural land use within our county.”
Natural England has said it was not aware of Dorset Council’s proposal and has not provided support by way of funding or advice, as has been suggested in other media reports.