Bid to save meadow at the Glebe Estate in Studland

Clayton Meadow at the Glebe Estate on Studland was gifted to the Trust in 1998 by Dame Barbara Clayton, a pathologist who was passionate about wildflowers, with the intention of maintaining it as she had.

However, the organisation is now looking into potentially selling the building plot, which was never developed, to raise funds - much to the dismay of locals.

Mike Cheesman, who lives adjacent to the meadow, said: “I believe the NT’s motives are to maximise their revenues at the expense of the loss of this rare piece of habitat.

“Clayton Meadow won’t be the first time the NT has been involved in selling land in controversial circumstances.

"Surely they should not be destroying such a rare piece of meadow?”

The 77-year-old retiree added that the organisation have been very ‘tight-lipped’ over plans and accused them of using ‘hardball tactics’ in regards to their intent.

Since World War Two 97% of British wildflower meadows have been lost, with a vast amount of flowers and animals at risk of being lost at Clayton.

An invertebrate survey carried out in May showed the meadow hosts 88 different wild plant species, including Dorset notables.

Alongside 20 Yellow Meadow Ant hills, 40 different types of insect, adders, slow worms and common lizards at just under a quarter of an acre site.

National Trust said it was yet to make a decision on the site.

A spokesperson said: “The land at the Glebe Estate, Studland, was left to us with conditions it could be sold.

“Should the site no longer have nature conservation interest, to raise funds for purchasing other chalk down land within the Isle of Purbeck which would have wider nature benefits over a greater area.

“We’re currently undertaking a full survey of the nature value of the site before making any decisions about its future.”

To find out more about the campaign visit - www.change.org/p/national-trust-save-clayton-meadow