Foley Estate (coming soon)

Foley Estate is a storied landscape situated within a strategically important area for nature recovery within South Downs National Park. Surrounded by multiple protected areas, the estate is undertaking a long-term programme to reconnect its neighbouring ecosystems and to restore an ancient floodplain across its farmed and wet woodland landscape—delivering biodiversity uplift, natural flood mitigation, and opportunities for learning for local schools.

Vision

Nature Recovery and Restoration
For Foley Estate to become a wetland oasis for wildlife through floodplain, wet woodland and heathland restoration, supporting multiple rare native species.

Climate Resilience and Flood Mitigation 
Through re-wiggling streams, building ponds and restoring flooded forests, the estate will support priority species at risk from climate change, enhance carbon storage, and reduce the risk of downstream flooding which threatens critical local infrastructure.

Education and Community
Foley Estate will harness its habitats and restoration as a living resource for education—supporting place-based learning, skills development, and deeper connections between local people and the natural environment, in line with the South Downs National Park Partnership Management Plan.

Estate Context

• 655 acres spanning Hampshire and West Sussex, located entirely within the South Downs National Park
• The upper catchment of the Hollywater tributary, a priory site for Hampshire County Council’s Local Nature Recovery and Flood Action Plan.
• Crossed by public rights of way that connect surrounding communities to the land

Habitats & Biodiversity

Foley Estate contains a diverse mosaic of habitats including wet woodland, acid grassland, floodplain meadow, reedbeds, ancient deciduous woodland and heathland. Parts of the landscape have been historically modified for agriculture, while others retain strong ecological character.

Nature recovery efforts will regenerate a wild landscape not seen since ancient times, resulting in exciting biodiversity uplift supporting beavers, rare amphibians, birds, reptiles and insects.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG):

BNG is a key mechanism for securing long-term investment in landscape restoration at Foley.

• • BNG units will focus on high distinctiveness habitats which canbe used to compensate for the losses of medium and lower-distinctiveness habitats across the region.
  • A diverse range of units will be offered, including floodplain meadow, acid grassland, lowland meadow, watercourses, ponds, wet woodland, and deciduous woodland.
  • All units will be registered with Natural England and secured through legal agreements to ensure long-term ecological outcomes
  • Details on BNG unit availability and purchase process: Information coming soon.

Voluntary Biodiversity Credits (VBCs):

Voluntary Biodiversity Credits will provide an opportunity for organisations and individuals to support nature recovery beyond statutory requirements.

• • Credits will directly contribute to flood mitigation, climate resilience, wildlife centred habitat restoration and public education about nature.
  • Suitable for a broad range organisations seeking meaningful engagement with nature recovery, with on site capacity for events, high quality bespoke catering and tours
  • Designed to offer a high-integrity, transparent route to supporting biodiversity
  • Details on VBCs: Information coming soon

Landscape History & Character

Coming soon.

Restoration Plan & Mapping.

Maps and further details: Information coming soon.

Governance & Long-Term Stewardship

Governance details: Information coming soon.

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