Former farmland to be restored to boost wildlife

The company, which buys land to restore it to nature, said a traditional orchard "that once stood on the land but was lost over a century ago" would be reinstated. It sits within a "wildlife corridor" adjoining Highpark Wood, an ancient woodland, and the Great Gaddesden Water Meadows, home to the River Gade, a rare chalk stream, otters and water voles, it added. The farming family will remain as long-term land managers and local children will be able to visit. Giles Perry, co-founder of the company, said: "This land has been farmed by the same family for the best part of 80 years, and it means a great deal to us to be working alongside them as we start to bring nature back to it."Species like brown hares, hedgehogs and great crested newts are all found nearby, but decades of arable farming have made it harder for them to continue making their habitats here. "Giving them the space to come back is really what this project is about."