MORE than £1.5 million will be invested in the Dorset countryside to restore habitats.

Environmental organisations are celebrating after hearing the ‘Wild Purbeck’ bid was successful.

It is one of only 12 Nature Improvement Areas (NIA) to be announced in England and will share in a £7.5 million pot.

Purbeck was chosen as one of the new NIAs because of its amazing wildlife wealth and the pressures it faces. With internationally important heathlands, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, the Jurassic Coast, valley wetlands and much more, the diversity of plants and wildlife is described as ‘phenomenal.’ Over 80 per cent of British mammal and butterfly species and 90 per cent bird species can be found in Purbeck, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and bird spotters.

Proposals for the NIA scheme include introducing grazing to large blocks of ungrazed heathland, re-creating high quality heathland on Forestry Commission land and wetland works on the Frome floodplain and around Poole Harbour. Another key area of work is planning and research to make the area more resilient to the impacts of climate change. A fire management plan will be produced to reduce the impact of fires on Purbeck’s internationally important heathlands.

Funding of more than £626,000 will come from Government’s NIA Programme, helping to enhance wildlife sites.

The local bid, co-ordinated by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership, supported by Dorset County Council, was a partnership between nine key environmental organisations, who will match the investment, meaning a total of £1.5m for the area.

Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Manager Tom Munro, who co-ordinated the bid, said: “It’s great news for Purbeck. Not only will the support make a big difference to Purbeck’s wildlife, but Wild Purbeck will support local communities and businesses in managing their landscape too.”

Partners in the bid include the Dorset AONB, Dorset County Council, National Trust, RSPB, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group SW, Kingston Maurward College and Natural England.

They will be working closely together and with others to deliver the three-year scheme from April.

Living Landscapes Manager at Dorset Wildlife Trust Andrew Pollard said: “‘Having a Nature Improvement Area for Purbeck is fantastic news for both the wildlife and the people who live, work and visit there. By working with our partners and local people, we can help to protect Purbeck’s magnificent biodiversity and bring back Living Landscapes for all in this beautiful corner of Dorset.”

The Purbeck NIA covers 45,000 hectares. It includes all of Poole Harbour and follows the coast to Ringstead; Puddletown Forest is its north-western corner and Corfe Mullen its north-eastern.