Lewes District Group enjoys visit to Iford Estate

The Lewes District group of CPRE Sussex had a most interesting visit to the Iford Estate, in September 2025.

We were welcomed to the Iford Hall by Ben Taylor, managing director of the Iford Estate. He gave us a very informative illustrated introduction to their Biodiversity Net Gain project. Biodiversity Net Gain is the way in which developers replace biodiversity lost on the development site and make a 10% improvement. They can either do this on the development site or purchase units from providers such as Iford Estate. Ben described how this is being achieved at Houndean Farm by planting trees and the reversion of arable land to chalk grassland.

Ben also showed us a promotional video for their latest project, which involves selling 3mx3m plots (identified by What3Words) so that individuals and businesses can contribute to biodiversity.

Later, we all drove to Houndean Farm on the western boundary of Lewes for a fairly strenuous walk to view the tree planting and chalk grassland at the head of the valley formed by the old racecourse. The grassland was a sea of yellow flowers and was beautiful sight. We also looked at the tree planting which was carried out in the winter of 2024 and had achieved a 90% survival despite the drought of the 2025 summer!

The afternoon was very interesting and much enjoyed by all who attended. Our thanks to Ben for his time.

David Taylor