Emblehope trial grounds pass to buyer in reported £9m sale

Emblehope, the Northumberland estate the Royal Kennel Club (RKC) ran as its centre of excellence for working dog trials and training, has been bought by nature restoration investors Restore in a deal reported at just under £9 million. The RKC confirmed completion of the sale of the 7,500-acre estate near Hexham in July, and Restore is reported to intend to retain the existing estate team.

What happens to the trials?

The RKC’s announcement said that under its ownership “effective land management, gamekeeping and animal husbandry [were] maintained to a very high standard”, and that Restore intends to keep the estate staff on. Neither organisation has yet publicly set out the future of the trials and training programme at Emblehope and Burngrange, and no replacement venue has been announced.

A 30-year restoration plan

Restore, founded by the conservationist Benedict Macdonald, is reported to plan the rewetting of around 800 hectares of peatland over a 30-year programme, with a possible UNESCO Biosphere designation and projected natural capital revenues of about £40 million. Announcing the purchase, Mr Macdonald said: “What has long been missing from the English uplands is a large-scale site dedicated primarily to the most ambitious forms of nature restoration.” Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, called the acquisition “an exciting development for Nature recovery in England”.

Is this part of a wider pattern?

Emblehope is the second large Northumberland sporting estate to move towards conservation ownership this summer. Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s appeal to buy the 9,486-acre Rothbury Estate passed £26 million of its £30 million target in late August, with its match fund extended to the end of September.

What happens next?

Restore’s programme at Emblehope is set to run over 30 years, and the working dog community will be watching for a commitment on the trials calendar. The RKC’s statement on the completed sale is available on its website.