Should land be removed from production?

Land removed from arable production in the Vision area since 1999 equates to 0.01% of the area cropped in the United Kingdom. Assuming the Vision is enacted in full over its estimated 100 year timescale this would equate to 0.16% of the UK's cropped area, and represents a tiny fragment of that lost annually to housing and other infrastructure development.

Much of the land acquired by the National Trust is now used for meat production. Commercial graziers now or will soon be grazing Tubney Fen, Oily Hall and Hurdle Hall, whilst Highland cattle introduced by the Trust as part of an extensive grazing programme will eventually enter the food chain.

It should also be bourne in mind that a significant proportion of agricultural land within the Vision area is not currently used for food production, with large areas used for turf and flower growing.

The current practice of draining the land for cultivation is leading to the erosion of the areas peat soils, at a rate of approximately 1cm per annum. At the current rate of erosion the peat will be seriously depleted within 50 years, reducing the ability of the land to support productive agriculture.

What if landowners don't want to sell their land?

At the last count there were approximately 120 individual landowners in the Vision area.

Land acquisition by the Trust is the result of a voluntary decision by the landowner to negotiate a sale and secondly the Trust being able to secure funds to purchase the land whether by public donation or grant. We do not have powers of compulsory purchase nor do we seek them.

We appreciate that many landowners may not wish to sell their land either now or in the foreseeable future and in such instances we would be keen to discuss potential land management and public access agreements with individual landowners.

Can you afford to buy land in view of recent increases in agricultural land values?

In recent years there has been a marked increase in agricultural land values which will invariably have an impact on the Trust's ability to purchase land in the short term.

Historically agriculture land values have gone through a series of booms and depressions and likewise we are taking a long term view to land acquisition. At the outset it was always envisaged that the Vision would take approximately 100 years to reach completion.

Land purchases would be at market value and it's possible that other potential purchasers maybe able to offer a premium over what the Trust maybe able to afford.

Why do you need so much land?

A core principal of the Wicken Fen Vision is to create a landscape scale nature reserve of sufficient size to provide a sustainable habitat where wildlife and human can co-exist happily side by side.

The significance of the Wicken Fen Vision is reflected in its inclusion in the East Cambridgeshire District Council's Corporate Plan and the Governments Regional Spatial Strategy as a focus for the provision of green infrastructure.

The Vision will create a 'green lung' for Cambridgeshire and surrounding communities that are increasingly being squeezed by new development. As a county Cambridgeshire has approximately 50% of publicly accessible countryside compared to most other counties. In the Cambridgeshire Sub-Region alone there is provision for 47,500 homes to be built by 2016 and an anticipated population increase of 130,000 over the next 20 years from its current population of 425,000.

What opportunities will the Vision create for employment and new enterprises?

A key element of the Vision is to ensure that it has a sustainable financial future and economic benefit to the local communities.

The anticipated increase in visitors to the Vision area will provide opportunities within local communities particularly in hospitality and leisure services. This year the Trust entered into a commercial agreement with the Ely based Fen Paddle Company to run standup paddle boarding sessions at Wicken Fen, a significant boost for a new start-up company. We are keen to explore similar commercial agreements which will benefit local enterprise.

It is also expected that additional employment will be created by the Trust in areas such as visitor services, catering, land and property management, provision of cycle hire and camping facilities etc. The existing 754 hectares maintained by the Trust supports the full time employment of 11 employees and an equal number of part time / casual employees.

Increased numbers of visitors will create traffic and parking problems in villages surrounding the Vision area.

The Trust is committed to sustainable transport and will do our up most to reduce the impact of visitor traffic on the local communities and the environment.

We are currently working with statutory authorities, local communities and consultants to develop a Sustainable Transport Plan.

Ideally we would like to see as many visitors as possible arriving by public transport or under their own steam walking, cycling or riding. However, in our highly mobile society we must understand that the private vehicle is often the preferred method or only practicable mode of transport for visitors especially those travelling greater distances and we need to plan and cater for these visitors accordingly.

The development of the Spine Route linking between Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey will complete the missing link in the National Cycle Route 11, providing the opportunity for visitors to access the Vision lands from Cambridge to the South and Ely to the North. The potential introduction of a shuttle bus connecting to the local rail station is under consideration as part of the Sustainable Transport Plan together with greater use of the local waterways network.

What is the Trust's policy on the Lodes

The Lodes are important historical features of the fenland landscape. Conserving local history is one of the Trust's most important objectives which is why we want to see the Lodes secured for the future.

The Lodes are the responsibility of the Environment Agency and we will work closely with them to find the best way to secure their long-term future.

Do you intend to flood the Vision lands?

Land will be managed to provide a variety of habitats for wildlife and the public to enjoy. Some low-lying areas will be predominantly wetland whilst other areas will be open grassland, woodland and scrub.

The National Trust has decades of experience in land management and conservation and would not flood the area to the detriment of natural, historic or economic considerations.

Is it safe to have herds of cattle and ponies roaming freely where there is public access?

The safety of the public visiting the reserve is of paramount importance and we constantly review both the safety of the public and animals.

The public are welcome to walk and ride in areas where the animals are grazing however we do request that visitors refrain from feeding or petting the animals. If the animals are blocking your path, please feel free to leave the path to move around them.

A informative leaflet, Ambling with Animals containing tips and advice when walking in grazed areas is available from the Wicken Fen Visitor Centre or by calling 01353 720274.

Will there be a charge for entry to the Vision area?

Where the Trust provides facilities such as car parking, toilets, interpretation and catering facilities such as at Wicken Fen and Anglesey Abbey entry charges will be levied.

In the larger vision area where there are numerous public rights of way and open countryside access will remain free of charge.

Will the Trust consult local residents on the Vision?

The Trust is committed to consultation and sees it as a vital and essential on-going process as the Vision develops.

In the last 18 months we have conducted a major public consultation which included the delivery of 20,000 questionnaires to households in and around the Vision area, supported by a series of public meetings and drop-in sessions.

A User Forum representing a wide range of user groups including walkers, cyclists, horse riders, anglers, bird watchers and naturalists has also been established. The forum looks at plans from the user's perspective to help make sure that new facilities and infrastructure meets the needs of as many different users as possible.

Is there a threat from malaria?

There are over 30 species of mosquito in Britain and the vast majority don't bite humans. Although most water bodies will provide habitat for some species of mosquitoes the design of the wetland within the vision should ensure populations do not build up. Larger water bodies containing healthy ecosystems including fish and other predators will eat the mosquito larvae and so prevent their populations from growing. Areas of shallow water will dry out in the summer months before the mosquitoes can build up.