BizClub Lunch : Friday 23rd October - Hugh Vere Nicoll - CEO Hanbury Farms and Wild Rutland

Join us for a fabulous lunch, an entertaining and informative speaker & great company - The BizClub 

Something big is stirring in the woods just off the Oakham bypass—but there is no cause for alarm.

Ex-Army officer, Afghanistan Veteran, and land-management specialist Hugh Vere Nicoll, CEO of Wild Rutland, and his team are working on an ambitious conservation project that could open around 1,000 acres of historic woodland, parkland and farmland that has never previously been accessible to the public.

Stretching from Burley Wood to the Oakham bypass, Wild Rutland aims to restore habitats, reconnect the landscape and give visitors the chance to encounter Britain’s native wildlife in a setting shaped by conservation, education and careful long-term stewardship. “Wild Rutland aspires to be an exemplar model of conservation-led ecological tourism—one that restores heritage landscapes, reconnects people with nature and sets a benchmark for sustainable land management in the UK,” says Hugh Vere Nicoll.

Subject to planning permission, visitors could explore accessible walking and wildlife-safari routes, discover the story of the landscape through an education and exhibition centre, and enjoy nature-led family adventure experiences among the trees and grasslands.

The scheme is also intended to bring jobs, skills and investment into Rutland. It forecasts approximately 75 direct jobs, alongside opportunities for volunteers, local suppliers, contractors, hospitality providers and other businesses. Estimates developed by the project team indicate that once operational it could bring an additional £12 million a year into the local economy through visitor spending and associated activity.

Hugh says that Wild Rutland will support local tourism by “complementing existing attractions, supporting local businesses and creating job and volunteering opportunities.” It is anticipated that some volunteer organisations or charities will be invited to use the facilities, when they are available.

“Too many of us are beginning to feel disconnected from nature,” he adds. “A key part of Wild Rutland is helping people rediscover their love and appreciation of the natural world. “It is a bold, once-in-a-generation vision: not simply to open a gate into the woods, but to bring people together to restore and conserve Rutland’s natural heritage for years to come.

The site is currently the subject of a submitted planning application, which is under consideration by Rutland County Council