Calls For Transparency Over Harborough Rewilding Project

Opposition councillors are calling for full transparency over the major rewilding project being led by Harborough District Council.

The scheme is taking place near Great Bowden after the authority purchased more than 130 acres of land for almost £1.8 million earlier this year, saying the move will help restore a nature-depleted area on a nationally significant scale.

Over 100 volunteers have stepped forward to be part of the project, which is being carried out in partnership with Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust.

Deputy Leader of the Conservative group, Cllr Phil King, wants more details:

Some of the land forming the re-wilding project

Harborough District Council say a presentation will be made to all councillors at a meeting next month, which will include full details of the project’s governance.

It has also recruited a Rewilding Lead Officer to oversee the project, employed through the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, using UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) and a grant supplied by Anglian Water.

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council, added: “It is great to hear about the further support there is for rewilding in Harborough, which the council has committed to for the long-term benefit of communities in the district. I am sure all residents understand that a project of this scale, which is now extending to over 500 acres and is being talked about as potentially being of national significance, doesn’t happen overnight.

“This is not just about the council – this is about involving all partners and landowners and the experts in nature recovery and rewilding.

“Cabinet and Council will receive regular update reports but more importantly, so will residents who will be the long-term beneficiaries of our ambition as we make this happen.”

Cllr Knowles has also laughed-off claims bison or wild boar could use the rewilding area, after it was muted the animals could be introduced on adjoining land:

Some of the land forming the re-wilding project