David Attenborough-backed rewilding plans sparked debate

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust aim to purchase the Rothbury Estate, a 15-square-mile tract of former grouse moor, woodland, farmland, streams, and rivers, with plans to boost wildlife, restore bogs, and champion nature-friendly farming.

The historic estate is the largest area of land to be put on sale in England in decades, and sits in the heart of what nature experts said could be a 40-mile ‘wild’ corridor of protected landscapes, nature reserves and wildlife-focused estates stretching from the coast to Kielder and the Scottish border.

Simonside, Rothbury (Image: Duncan Hutt)

Northumberland Wildlife Trust chief executive Mike Pratt has described the purchase as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to make a meaningful impact for nature on a large scale through habitat restoration and protection, rewilding, increased access to the countryside, and sustainable food production.

Sir David Attenborough has also lent his support to the public appeal, which had raised more than £10 million towards its £30 million target as of early 2026.

Plans prompted fresh debate after a new Fieldsports Britain video questioned whether the land needs ‘saving’ at all.

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The film, titled “Rothbury rewilding scandal?”, examined proposals by The Wildlife Trusts to manage the estate in what they describe as a national flagship for nature recovery.

Supporters claimed the vision could see enhanced peatland restoration, improved water management, carbon sequestration and long-term biodiversity gains across the Simonside Hills and surrounding uplands.

Critics, however, argued the estate already supports significant wildlife under its current and recent management, and warn that large-scale rewilding or predator reintroductions could damage existing species, particularly ground-nesting birds.

The debate comes at a time when large-scale landscape recovery projects are expanding across the UK, often attracting both strong public support and strong opposition.

The Fieldsports Britain video explored both sides of the debate and asked what the future of Rothbury should look like and who should decide.

Among those who raised concerns in the video was countryside writer Ian Coghill, who argued that conservation efforts should focus on ‘bottom up’ ecology, including plants, invertebrates and habitat management, rather than high-profile species reintroductions.

Caudhole Moss, Simonside in the estate (Image: Duncan Hutt)

He questioned the long-term funding model for the estate and called for full baseline data on existing wildlife to be published before major changes are made.

“The most important people are the ones that live and work there,” he said in the programme, referring to tenant farmers and local communities.

The Wildlife Trusts have responded, outlining their approach and commitment to scientific monitoring.

In a statement, they said: “In October 2024, The Wildlife Trusts – in partnership with Northumberland Wildlife Trust – purchased part of The Rothbury Estate, which includes the much-loved Simonside Hills.

“Surveys and monitoring of the upland area that we’ve acquired are being undertaken to work out the best form of management to benefit wildlife, peatlands, water management and sequester carbon.

“As well as baseline surveys on every aspect of species and habitats, archaeology and geology surveys are also being undertaken, forming the basis of a long-term data bank used to inform all aspects of site management.

“This is added to by the close involvement of those who know, manage and farm the estate already, or who have in the past, as well as evaluation of existing data. We are also working closely with Newcastle University Centre for Landscape to ensure the very highest level of data collection and most up to date technology and techniques are applied across all disciplines into the future.

“We see this scientific survey and monitoring as a key facet of Rothbury being seen as a national exemplar of farming and nature recovery. We also intend to involve local communities in citizen science data gathering. The evaluation of impact of all we aim to achieve is central to our approach.

“Whilst fundraising for the purchase of the remainder of the estate, we have been speaking to the local community and are keen to work closely with tenants, including farm tenants, to develop a long-term strategy for the estate. This long-term strategy will aim to create a place where people and nature can thrive side by side.”