Fundraiser enables Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to purchase farm

A farm in Derbyshire is to be transformed into a nature reserve after a fundraising campaign enabled Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (DWT) to purchase the site.

More than 2,000 members of the public backed DWT's project to buy Common Farm in Nether Heage, near Belper, north of Derby. 

The donations of some £300,000, along with private and charity donations, made the purchase possible.

Common Kestrel is one of the species Derbyshire Wildlife Trust hopes will thrive at its new Common Farm reserve (Tom Hines).

Mosaic of habitats

The 33-ha site will now be rewilded and DWT plans to create "a mosaic of habitats" including grasslands, scrub and woodland, with water retained on site wherever possible.

The charity says it is now excited to start working with the community to develop the site as a great place for people and nature "for generations to come".

Jo Smith, Chief Executive of DWT said: "Making more space for nature at Common Farm will give wildlife the chance to recover here, and once regenerated it will store more carbon, help store more water to reduce local flooding and help trap nutrients that leach into our river systems. 

"The purchase is also great news for local residents and visitors, who will be able to continue to enjoy the area, and to see it become richer for nature in the years to come."