Welcome
Led by Clinton Devon Estates, the Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery initiative holds nature recovery ambitions of national significance. Located in East Devon’s lower River Otter catchment and funded by one of the government’s environmental land management schemes, this project represents one of the most exciting nature enhancement opportunities in the UK with the focus including river/floodplain restoration and woodland creation. The scheme spans 4,000 hectares of the East Devon countryside and will power nature recovery across the agricultural hinterlands linking three parts of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR).
Our vision is for this diverse landscape to be nature rich and ecologically healthy whilst also supporting food production, net zero, timber and access needs.
Find out more here: Landscape Recovery: round two – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Welcome
Led by Clinton Devon Estates, the Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery initiative holds nature recovery ambitions of national significance. Located in East Devon’s lower River Otter catchment and funded by one of the government’s environmental land management schemes, this project represents one of the most exciting nature enhancement opportunities in the UK with the focus including river/floodplain restoration and woodland creation. The scheme spans 4,000 hectares of the East Devon countryside and will power nature recovery across the agricultural hinterlands linking three parts of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR).
Our vision is for this diverse landscape to be nature rich and ecologically healthy whilst also supporting food production, net zero, timber and access needs.
Find out more here: Landscape Recovery: round two – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Current land use and project area (Click to enlarge)
The 2-year project development phase (April 2024-March 2026) will review existing habitat and landscape connectivity across the catchment and provide a blueprint for how this can be improved. In addition, long-term solutions to maintain public access would be developed and costed. This will include those footpaths alongside the River Otter where public access and existing health and wellbeing benefits are currently threatened by erosion. The potential for new woodland creation and providing enhanced access through the wider landscape would also be assessed.
Although the scheme has a focus on nature recovery, it is not about stopping food production; we believe nature recovery and productive agriculture can and must co-exist.
Landscape Recovery is one of the three environmental management schemes, alongside the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship, which will support farmers to deliver a range of environmental outcomes, with a focus on net zero, biodiversity and water quality.
Our vision is that by working together this initiative will:
1
Deliver an accessible, nature-rich landscape that is resilient to climate change.
2
Support East Devon’s net zero and food production ambitions.
3
Drive a stronger, greener and more sustainable economy.
The Team
News & Media
Click the links below to see coverage of our project.
Walking with Derek Gow
The Lower Otter Restoration Project ends and Landscape Recovery begins
Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery Project: Options and plans development.
Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery Project
Getting Involved
Throughout the project it is vital that we communicate and engage with the right stakeholders and local communities.
Although the scheme has a focus on nature recovery, it is not about stopping food production; we believe nature recovery and productive agriculture can and must co-exist.
A Stakeholder Communication Advisory Group has been established to help steer the development phase and includes representatives from local government, local parish councils, land managers and a range of private and environmental organisations with an interest in the landscape and the environmental, social and economic benefits it supports.
Stakeholders will be involved in shaping priorities for the landscape plan and there will be opportunities for wider consultation throughout the course of the development phase, and beyond.
Have your say:
If you are interested in being kept up to date on project plans and progress you can register interest and give your thoughts on the project through our Stakeholder Engagement Survey here:
We will also be holding a number of public engagement events, details of which you will find listed below.
Upcoming events
Events schedule pending, please check back soon for new upcoming events.
Project Governance
We have a project governance structure to make sure the project has the right technical advice, is engaging widely and effectively, and to make sure we are held to account on key project actions.
Advisory groups include:
Latest meeting papers can be found here.
Contact
If you need any further information, please get in touch.
Clinton Devon Estates
Rolle Estate Office
Bicton Arena,
East Budleigh,
Budleigh Salterton,
Devon
EX9 7BL
