Project Overview
What are we doing & WHY?
The Priory Farm Project aims to transition about 700 acres of farmland around the village of Needingworth to a landscape focussed on habitat creation and nature restoration. We will be testing new methods of nature-based private finance to create this project, whilst delivering multiple public benefits such as enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate impact and building flood resilience through nature-based solutions (NBS).
Climate change is the single biggest threat to food security. We must urgently address the underlying causes of climate change and biodiversity loss if we are to protect long-term food security in the UK and abroad. We will continue the story of food production within our journey, using livestock to manage habitats and creating high quality species-rich hay as a feedstock.
We hope to use this as a model to drive wider connectivity for nature and help other land managers adopt a similar approach to delivery.
Gallery
Photos from the landscape
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Opportunities Map
We are aiming to deliver a project that has the best outcome for nature, in context with the surrounding landscape. We are engaging with key stakeholders locally to ensure we have a joined-up approach to the masterplan design.
We are right at the start of this journey. The planning has only just begun and we will be developing the detail through a systematic step change process. Please keep checking for updates to follow our progress.
Our Partners:
WHAT SOME OF OUR PARTNERS SAY….
“Priory Farm is in the heart of the Ouse Valley - a beautiful landscape supporting important species and habitats including lapwing, turtle dove and wildflower rich meadows. We are looking forward to working with the project to increase biodiversity and provide key wildlife linkages between RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes and Ouse Fen."
Hannah Phillips
RSPB
RSPB
“We are delighted to be working collaboratively with our partners on this visionary project. Priory Farms' ambition to increase, improve and connect the grassland and water meadow habitats of the Ouse Valley, helping wildlife to thrive, whilst protecting us from the effects of climate change and providing more places for people to enjoy the natural world, will contribute both to the local economy and to the delivery of a national Nature Recovery Network, that benefits us all.”
Graham North
Natural England
Natural England
“Anglian Water is very supportive of the Priory Farm Project. Projects like this, led by innovative landowners, are critical if we are to address the climate and biodiversity crisis. They provide opportunities for us to work in partnership with others to improve water quality, restore biodiversity, and meet our net zero carbon ambition.”
Chris Gerrard
Anglian Water
Anglian Water
Please check out our sister project, the Wendling Beck Environment Project, in Norfolk.
