More than 50 potential volunteers enjoy guided tour of future site for Rewilding Harborough project
More than 50 potential volunteers enjoyed a guided tour of the future site for the Rewilding Harborough project.
The tours, which took place over three days on 133 acres of land purchased by the council near Great Bowden, gave volunteers the opportunity to explore the site, learn about the project’s vision and discuss potential habitat restoration measures to support wildlife recovery.
Volunteers were also able to ask questions about plans to develop the site in the coming years, and learn more about the scale of the project.
The district-council led project was thrown into doubt last month following a budget meeting in which amendments by the Conservative-led opposition, which included pausing investment in the rewilding project, were passed by 18 votes to 16.
Speaking after the meeting, council leader and Liberal Democrat councillor Phil Knowles described the vote as ‘a wrecking motion by the Tories’.
The council says information about opportunities for volunteers to help monitor wildlife will be shared soon.
Volunteer Marian Furze said: “The walk was extremely informative and provided a great introduction into what is planned.
“It gave a great insight into the wider project and all the partners involved to reach the 500-acres.”
The Rewilding Harborough project aims to restore nature at landscape scale by creating, restoring and connecting habitats across a 500-acre area.
The district council’s cabinet lead for culture, leisure, economy and tourism Jo Asher said: “I am really pleased to hear that these opportunities to explore the site and hear more about the project are proving so popular.
“It is great to have so many people looking to get involved and it shows how popular this project is.”