A 1,525-acre swath of productive farmland in Lincolnshire is being transformed into a nature-rich wildland, sparking both excitement and controversy among locals. The Boothby Wildland project, led by rewilding company Nattergal, aims to restore biodiversity and generate revenue through carbon and biodiversity credits, as well as ecotourism.
The site, purchased for £13.75 million, was previously used for conventional arable cultivation of wheat and beans. According to Nattergal, the land is Grade 3 farmland with heavy clay soils, producing moderate yields that were fed to animals. The company argues that the biodiversity crisis poses a greater threat to food security than short-term issues like the war in Ukraine.
Local reactions are mixed. Some residents, like Clive Carr of Lower Bitchfield, describe the project as 'like winning the lottery,' while others, such as Colin Boother of Ingoldsby, express concern about taking food-growing land out of production when Britain imports 50% of its food. Kate Green, whose property adjoins the farm, supports the project, calling the current landscape a 'green desert.'
Nattergal, co-founded by Knepp estate owner Charlie Burrell, plans to restore the land along the lines of the successful Knepp rewilding in West Sussex. Revenue will come from carbon credits, biodiversity credits, payments from housebuilders for 'biodiversity net gain,' flood alleviation funds, and ecotourism. The company expects to offer mid to high single-digit returns to investors.
One-third of the cropland has already been taken out of production, and the restoration process has begun. Nattergal says the project will create jobs and provide public access to a nature-rich site, though some locals remain wary of potential issues like weed seeds and large herbivores.
