Plans submitted for Wild Rutland, an ambitious conservation-led visitor attraction

A full planning application and Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted to Rutland County Council for Wild Rutland, a new visionary conservation and wildlife-led visitor destination designed to restore, protect and open up a significant historic landscape to the public.

The proposals set out a vision for a landmark destination extending from Burley Wood to the Oakham bypass in Rutland, encompassing approximately 1,000 acres of historic parkland, arable farmland and woodland. The proposals aim to reinstate lost features of the heritage landscape and enhance habitats for wildlife, establishing a visitor destination that will celebrate conservation, education and long-term stewardship.

The landscape-led masterplan, developed by Gillespies, is informed by a detailed understanding of the site’s ecology, heritage and landscape character, and draws on principles established by notable British landscape designers who have shaped the estate over centuries. Habitats will be restored and reconnected through integrated green, blue and ecological networks, supporting biodiversity recovery while responding sensitively to climate change and land management needs. The planting has been informed by local conditions and ecology, creating resilient plant communities that can be managed and sustained in the long term.

Through, storytelling, education, and a bold design rooted in biodiversity, Wild Rutland aims to foster a deeper public appreciation for conservation and inspire action for environmental stewardship.

Visitors will be able to explore the site through accessible walking safari routes, immersive woodland and parkland experiences and a dedicated education and exhibition centre designed to support learning and engagement. A limited number of overnight lodges and a central communal lodge will offer opportunities to stay within the landscape, alongside guided encounters and carefully managed opportunities to observe the wildlife in a conservation-led setting.

Secure enclosures are proposed for a range of native UK species, some of which may be reintroduced at a later stage, designed to protect animal welfare while safeguarding the site’s delicate ecosystems.

Gillespies is leading the designs, delivering masterplanning, landscape architecture and architecture, supported by a multidisciplinary consultant team including Savills, Lucion, Ecology Link, Symbiosis, Influence, Stantec and Play specialists.

The project aims to support Rutland County Council’s tourism ambition and boost the local economy by complementing existing attractions, supporting local businesses and creating job and volunteering opportunities.

The project’s CEO Hugh Vere Nicoll said, “Wild Rutland aspires to be an exemplar model of conservation-led ecological-tourism – one that restores heritage landscapes, reconnects people with nature and sets a benchmark for sustainable land management in the UK. The project aims to support Rutland County Council’s tourism ambition and boost the local economy by complementing existing attractions, supporting local businesses and creating job and volunteering opportunities.

Wild Rutland is driven by a team with a deep knowledge and respect for the site and the local area, working with experts in the fields of restoration, conservation, education, tourism, attraction development and management,”

Tom Walker, Partner at Gillespies, said: “There is a growing appetite for places where people can reconnect with nature in a meaningful and respectful way. Our designs respond directly to the site’s heritage, supporting Wild Rutland’s ambition to create landscapes that work for wildlife while remaining accessible and relevant to people. Wild Rutland will support learning, local employment and sustainable tourism, while allowing visitors to experience British wildlife within a carefully managed setting. The approach prioritises long-term ecological resilience, wildlife protection and responsible stewardship, creating a lasting legacy for the landscape and its wildlife.”

The full planning application has been finalised after a rigorous process of consultation with ecologists, historic landscape specialists, leading attraction development and management experts and national bodies and organisations. The plans also draw on insights and feedback from local environmental experts and the local community.

This landmark submission marks the beginning of a statutory consultation process led by Rutland County Council. Community members will have the opportunity to review the application and provide feedback in the coming weeks.