Sir Charles Burrell and his wife Isabella Tree have seen large increases in wildlife on the Knepp Estate at West Grinstead since they first started a rewilding scheme 20 years ago.
But now developers are proposing to build 3,500 new homes at nearby Buck Barn. Isabella says she fears, if it goes ahead, the development would ‘leave a wildlife island in a sea of housing.’
However, developers Thakeham Homes have pledged to build a £5 million ‘wildlife bidge’ across the A24 which they say will allow wildlife to move freely within the area.
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The landscape is rich in flora and fauna. Photo: Charlie Burrell
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Creatures of all shapes and sizes have made Knepp their home: Photo: Charlie Burrell
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Some of the farmland at Knepp. Photo: Charlie Burrell
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Bats are among the creatures that can be spotted on night safaris that Knepp organises. Photo: Charlie Burrell