The National Trust has announced that it has raised enough money to purchase Wembury Point and the Great Mewstone from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Formal negotiations with the MoD to acquire the site, just outside Plymouth, will now conclude and it is expected to complete negotiations to purchase the site during the summer of 2005.  | | Looking across to the Mewstone from the former Navy gunnery school HMS Cambridge. |
The Trust launched a fundraising campaign in January to raise the £350,000 needed to purchase this important piece of South Devon coast and save it from what it calls "inappropriate development". National Trust Regional Director Mark Harold praised the public response to the appeal for help.
"The level of support, both local and national, has been tremendous," he said. "We have received donations in excess of the £350,000. needed to purchase the site.
"All additional sums will go towards the future management and restoration costs totalling £1.1 million." Wembury Point, guards the eastern side of Plymouth Sound in the heart of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The site includes Great Mewstone Island - an important site for cliff nesting seabirds. The 56 hectare coastal estate has been hidden from the public since 1940 when it was acquired by the MoD and later became a naval gunnery training school, HMS Cambridge.
Many happy people
Wembury Parish Council Chairman, Peter Williams, said he was delighted at the news. "We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the National Trust by helping to develop a sympathetic management plan for this important and sensitive area of coastline".  | | Wembury Point is a haven for wildlife. |
Eric Wallis, of the South West Coast Path Association, said: "It will protect access to a beautiful part of the coast and allow everybody to continue to enjoy the south west coast path". Regional Director for the South West RSPB, Tony Richardson said: "We have worked successfully with the Trust for a number of years in South Devon increasing the UK's Cirl Bunting population.
"We look forward to continuing this relationship to benefit wildlife for years to come". Wembury Point lies close to the urban fringes of Plymouth and the whole area has been under intense pressure for development over the last 50 years.
Its former use made it highly likely that if the National Trust did not acquire it, it would probably have been offered on the open market and be at risk from commercial development. Once the purchase is completed The National Trust will establish a Management Steering Group to help guide the future management of the site.
This will include members of key organisations with an interest in the site, including English Nature, Wembury Voluntary Marine Conservation steering Group, Wembury Parish Council, RSPB, Devon Wildlife Trust etc.
Article first published: 5th April, 2005  | previous story >>> |  |
| 
