Clinton Devon Estates is leading the Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery project in collaboration with farmers, Devon Wildlife Trust, Bicton College, and RSPB.
Landscape Recovery Projects were introduced by Defra to support landowners and land managers in taking an ambitious, large-scale approach to nature restoration, while also addressing broader priorities such as sustainable food production.
Project Submitted to Defra
We’re excited to say that the development phase of the Heaths to Sea project is now complete and at the end of March our landscape recovery proposals were submitted to Defra for consideration for long‑term funding. We expect the rigorous assessment process to take approximately six to nine months.
The Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery Project aims to transform 15 square miles (3,945 hectares) of the lower Otter Valley catchment in East Devon into a more connected, resilient, and ecologically healthy landscape for nature, while continuing to support food and timber production, net zero ambitions, and public access. The vision is for Heaths to Sea to become nationally and internationally recognised as a leading example of how world-class nature recovery can be achieved within a thriving, productive, and populated lowland English landscape.
Our 20-year landscape recovery proposals encompass land management, stakeholder engagement, access improvements, monitoring and evaluation, financial planning, and governance strategy. They are the result of two years of dedicated work led by Clinton Devon Estates, with valued input from project partners, land managers, advisors, consultants, and public consultation; we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all who have been involved.
Project Proposals
Heaths to Sea takes a landscape scale approach to restoring the lower Otter valley by creating 485 hectares of new wildlife-rich habitat and reconnecting the existing diverse habitat. The Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR) and its surrounding agricultural hinterlands will form a fully connected, climate-resilient ecological network. Important habitats will be restored and enhanced so they can support strong populations of wildlife, from wetlands and rivers to farmland and grassland. A new, landscape-scale wildlife reserve of international renown will act as a model for conservation, sustainable land use and rural regeneration whilst providing excellent public access, and nature-rich experiences. Cultural heritage of the landscape will be appreciated and protected.
An important aspect of the proposals is to support food and timber production alongside carbon storage, and places for people to explore and enjoy. By repairing damaged natural processes and supporting regenerative, nature‑friendly farming, we can reduce environmental risks and build a more resilient landscape and local economy. The habitat creation and enhancement proposals would increase carbon sinks and water storage. Through the project the local landscape is expected to store more than 110,000 tonnes of additional carbon over 100 years and natural flood management measures would hold over 40,000m³ of water across the local tributaries.
To achieve this, some highlights of the Heaths to Sea submitted proposals are summarised.
- Strategic interventions along the floodplain will create 290 hectare of wetland habitat and 30 ha of wet woodland along the banks of the River Otter and it’s tributaries (Colaton Raleigh, Budleigh, and Back Brook)
- Otterton Hill will be transformed into a 170‑hectare mix of wood pasture, scrub and species‑rich grassland, shaped through low‑intensity grazing by traditional breeds of grazing animals.
- Conservation grazing on the Pebblebed Heaths will be expanded to more than 1,000 hectares (around 90% of the NNR, compared to 48% currently).
- 90 hectares of new productive woodland will be planted for timber, and around 700 hectares of woodland will be transformed from clear-felling to a more continuous approach that retains mature trees and builds resilience.
- Commitment to local food production, with tailored farm plans designed to support wildlife, improve water quality and strengthen soil health while meeting each farm’s operational needs.
Supporting the local community, a broad programme of education, volunteering, citizen‑science monitoring and creative nature‑based activities will offer many ways for people to get involved. Proposals have been put forward to enhance the access network applying the ‘least restrictive access’ principle. A programme of engagement will support management of visitor pressure and its adverse effects on the natural environment.
All this work will be underpinned by science. A strong monitoring programme, developed with local communities and specialists, will track the ecological, economic, and social benefits of restoring nature. We aim to support land managers, communities, and policymakers to work together in a spirit of trust, openness, and shared understanding, with clear communication about the decisions being made and the trade-offs and benefits involved.
Our proposals are ambitious and full of potential, and we intend to deliver them with real optimism for the future. However, aspects of the scheme may need to adapt as we move forward and are subject to funding and obtaining the required permits, permissions, and/or consents.