The 9,000 hectare Elveden Estate, owned by Lord Iveagh, head of the Guinness family, has entered into an agreement with Natural England to manage 2,000 hectares of the land under the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, to fund work to return the region's largest privately owned lowland heath back to its former glory.

The Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is now being restored as a haven for heather, birds, butterflies and insects, thanks to the signing of the agreement with Natural England, which works to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife.

Lord Iveagh said: "We are delighted to celebrate the formal advent of Environmental Stewardship, which effectively helps to safeguard our precious habitats for years to come."

The estate is set to receive around £200,000 a year from Natural England for the next 10 years to manage the land and introduce sheep and shepherds to promote more heath growth.

Bill Nickson, from Natural England, said: "This HLS agreement will secure active management on a very large area of heathland, grassland and field margins and will provide lasting benefits for the natural environment."

Jim Rudderham, forestry and conservation manager for Elveden Estate, said: "We have been working on the nuts and bolts of this agreement for over a year, but today actually celebrates the conservation work of very many people for over a century.

"This scheme is going to allow that effort to continue. As with all countryside issues, wildlife has to be managed and this agreement sets out how that management should go forward over the next 10 years."

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