Buying Land For Rewilding

• Published date: 24 July 2023
• Subject Matter: Environment, Real Estate and Construction, Environmental Law, Real Estate
• Law Firm: Ellisons Legal LLP
• Author: Mr Lewis Barber

The East of England has continued to see buoyant land prices, with the increase in values outstripping national averages according to research conducted by leading agents in the region.

While farmers remain the top purchaser of farmland, followed by lifestyle and investors, a relatively new player in the market has emerged- rewilding. There is no singular definition of rewilding. However, the Cambridge Dictionary defines rewilding as 'the process of protecting an environment and returning it to its natural state, for example by bringing back wild animals that used to live there'.

It should come as no surprise that this form of buyer has entered the market. The Government has shifted from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy to its Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS). The ELMS, which are a collection of programmes, grants and policies, has increased the focus on land use for...