Castle Howard estate signs up in innovative nature shares project

Lawyers at top 50 UK law firm Birketts have advised Castle Howard Estate Limited on a major diversification project in collaboration with the Environment Bank which will see the 177 hectare estate invested in through the Nature Shares market, a newcomer to the Natural Capital space.

In a project which sets the bar for diversification of land and future nature share initiatives, Castle Howard in North Yorkshire will see businesses invest in habitat enhancement and regeneration on the estate to boost biodiversity over a period of over 30 years.

Daisy Darell, of Birketts Agriculture and Estates Team, said: “This new initiative sets the trend for future nature shares projects and demonstrates to the rural community what is possible in terms of diversification within an estate’s portfolio. Rural landowners are custodians, and so improvement of biodiversity goes hand in hand with this. In the Castle Howard collaboration with the Environment Bank, a substantial biodiversity uplift is expected on the estate as a consequence of the nature shares initiative, which is fantastic for nature.

“This project has been a privilege to work on and required a cross-disciplinary approach, engaging all aspects of Birketts’ Natural Capital team. Members of the Agriculture and Estates Team, Banking, Commercial and Planning teams all pulled together to deliver. Having all of that legal expertise under one roof was a major benefit and acts as a blueprint for future projects with the rural landowner community.”