‘Royal’ Tree Marks Rewilding Project Milestone

A tree planting event has marked an important milestone for Harborough District Council’s Rewilding Harborough project.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur Esq. OBE CStJ, joined councillors and partners to plant an oak tree on behalf of HM King Charles III, formally recognising 2025 as the year the project began.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled to highlight the council’s commitment to creating public open spaces and a lasting nature recovery legacy.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur Esq. OBE CStJ and councillors from Harborough District Council next to the Oak tree

HDC says Rewilding Harborough will restore nature across 130 acres of land north of Market Harborough and Great Bowden, with wider partner involvement expanding the project area to more than 500 acres.

Working with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and other stakeholders, the project aims to reconnect habitats, support nature recovery at scale and bring people closer to nature.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said the event marked “a major moment” for the scheme, adding that the project is about people as well as nature and will leave a legacy for future generations.

Mat Carter, Chief Executive of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, said 2025 marked the start of an exciting nature recovery journey in south Leicestershire, with further habitat restoration and new woodland creation planned as the project develops.

The council purchased land for nearly £2m earlier this year and will also create a new country park on the site.