Plans to return second Lancing farm to nature
Their aim is to protect the environment and bolster flood defences on the western banks of the River Adur.
Last updated 29th Nov 2020
Adur District Council is planning to buy more land to protect the environment and bolster flood defences.
In September, the authority announced plans to buy New Salts Farm, a 70 acre piece of land between Lancing and Shoreham.
Their aim is to return the area to it's natural habitat and prevent housing being built on it.
Now Adur District Council has revealed it is in advance talks to buy Pad Farm from owners, Ricardo Plc.
The 45 acres of arable farmland on the western banks of the River Adur, north of the A27, are reported to be worth £324,000.
It wants to return the land to salt marsh, to encourage biodiversity and to enhance the site's role in flood defence plans.
“I am delighted to be moving ahead with this project. Coming so soon after our purchase of New Salts Farm it proves this Council is taking the protection of our natural resources seriously. Not only that but, by turning these sites back to their natural habitat, we are also helping to reduce the flood risk and increasing biodiversity, ensuring plants, animals and birds can thrive.
“We are working hard to strike a balance between creating much needed new homes for people who want to live here and the protection of our environment, in particular the Adur estuary environment. These two large pieces of land will now be protected from development and add to our natural estuarine riches for generations to come.”
Adur District Council's Executive Member for the Environment, Cllr Emma Evans
Pad Farm is part of the lower Adur Estuary zone and the Council officers are already engaged in talks with the Environment Agency and the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, among other partners.
“I am delighted to have completed this transaction. It shows that the public and private sector can work together for the benefit of the local community and the environment. We look forward to seeing the habitat developing.”
Ian Gibson, Ricardo plc Chief Financial Officer