North Cumbria’s Watchtree Nature Reserve has expanded to help save a landmark.
The reserve, near Carlisle, has bought outright 8.2 acres of land to the north of the site, which includes the Grade II-listed World War Two RAF watch office.
It is the first piece of land the charity has ever owned as its main 205 acre site is leased from Defra.
The charity said: “Watchtree trustees have been interested in purchasing this land and property for more than a decade.
“When the previous owners, the Newstead family, decided it was time to part with this historically rich location, we acted quickly to agree on a fair purchase and arrange funds.
“The £150,000 purchase was made entirely from Watchtree’s own reserves, originally held as contingency funding for opportunities exactly like this one.
“To avoid delays and secure the site promptly, the board of trustees made the decision to purchase the land outright, with the intention to fundraise separately for any future development, restoration, or enhancement.”
However, it said the next phase of its plans depends on the community and it has launched a £50,000 online campaign to help it carry out the next steps of assessments, community consultation, planning work, and, when the time comes, contributing to the delivery of the project itself.
The charity added: “While the watch tower carries immense historical interest, the surrounding land is equally exciting for us as a nature reserve.
“The new fields offer both rich existing biodiversity and huge potential for restoration, particularly in their current low‑intervention state.”
Built in 1942, the watch tower stands alongside the former RAF Great Orton Airfield, now home to Watchtree Nature Reserve.
To donate to the online fundraiser, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/Dy42PMmW?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink
