About the Project

Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery Project

Heaths to Sea is a landscape scale project led by Clinton Devon Estates, with nature recovery ambitions of national significance. The project focuses on improving and reconnecting habitats across 15 sq. miles of the lower River Otter catchment in East Devon, with particular emphasis on river and floodplain restoration and woodland creation.

Although the project has a strong focus on nature recovery, it is not about stopping food production; instead, it is founded on the principle that nature recovery and productive agriculture can and must coexist.

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.

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Project aims
What is Landscape Recovery?
Location and project area
Development of the Heaths to Sea project
Who is leading the project and who else is involved?
What happens next?
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Project aims

We want to deliver long-term benefits for nature, people and the local economy. By working together across the lower Otter Valley, the project aims to:

Our vision is that by working together, this initiative will:

Deliver an accessible, nature-rich landscape that is resilient to climate change.

Support East Devon’s net-zero and food production ambitions.

Drive a stronger, greener, and more sustainable economy.

Our vision for the future of the lower Otter valley

What is Landscape Recovery?

Landscape Recovery is one of the three Government-funded environmental land management schemes (ELMS), alongside the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship. ELMS support farmers to deliver a range of environmental outcomes, with a focus on net zero, biodiversity, and water quality.

Location and project area

The Heaths to Sea project is located in East Devon’s lower River Otter catchment and spans around 15 square miles (3,945 hectares) of countryside. The project area links agricultural land with three parts of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR), forming a connected landscape that runs from heathland through farmland and river corridors.

Development of the Heaths to Sea project

The project development phase (April 2024-March 2026) involved two years of dedicated work led by Clinton Devon Estates, with valued input from project partners, land managers, advisors, consultants, and public consultation:

Reviewing existing habitat and landscape connectivity across the catchment and providing a blueprint for how this can be improved.

Developing and costing long-term solutions to maintain public access, including those footpaths alongside the River Otter, where public access and existing health and wellbeing benefits are currently threatened by erosion.

Assessing the potential for new woodland creation and provision of enhanced access through the wider landscape.

Our proposals

The Heaths to Sea submitted proposals bring together the detailed plans developed over two years of work, setting out a 20‑year approach to landscape recovery across the lower Otter Valley. They cover land management, access, engagement, monitoring and funding, and were submitted to Defra in March 2026 for consideration as part of the Landscape Recovery programme.

They provide a clear summary of what could be delivered, including proposals for habitat creation and improved landscape connectivity, while recognising that elements may change as the plans are reviewed and refined through the funding and approvals process.

Who is leading the project and who else is involved?

Clinton Devon Estates is leading the Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery Project.

We have a governance structure in place to ensure the project has the right technical advice, engages widely and effectively, and that we are held to account on key project actions. Throughout the development phase, engagement with stakeholders and local communities has been a vital part of our approach. Advisory groups supporting the project include Green Finance, Technical, and Stakeholder Communication, helping to guide the project’s development and engagement activities.

What happens next?

The development phase of the Heaths to Sea Project is now complete. At the end of March 2026, we submitted our Landscape Recovery proposals to Defra for consideration for long-term funding. We expect the rigorous assessment process to take approximately six to nine months.