A conservation charity needs to raise £500,000 to buy farmland it wants to “rewild” for future generations.

Kent Wildlife Trust is looking to purchase more than 200 acres at Hoathly Farm in Lamberhurst.

The move comes after a campaign by residents of the Bassets Farm Forum and by the local parish council this month failed to stop an application for 120 homes in nearby Horsmonden from being approved by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Kent Wildlife Trust needs to raise £500,000 which will then unlock vital match funding and secure the land at Hoathly Wood.

They say they want to turn it into a wildlife haven, which would form the backbone of a near-continuous wilding corridor that could connect Kent and Sussex.

The trust said it was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to turn intensively farmed low-grade arable land into a rich mosaic of wood pasture, species-rich meadow, ancient hedgerow, and thriving woodland.

Paul Hadaway, director of conservation at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “This is Kent’s biggest opportunity in a generation to restore nature at scale.

“With the help of our supporters, we can reconnect landscapes, bring back biodiversity, and build a resilient future where people and nature thrive side by side.”

“The restored land would adjoin existing wilding projects at Scotney Castle and Furnace Farm, creating an expansive, dynamic nature reserve that enhances biodiversity, supports climate resilience, and offers vital green spaces for community wellbeing.

Some critics have argued that while securing the land from development, the trust’s plans are still taking arable land out of food production.

But Mr Hadaway added: “Some fear that wilding will harm food security, but in truth, it can enhance and support farming.

“Take Ham Fen Nature Reserve in Deal, for example. It’s the last remaining fenland in Kent, and due to climate change and nearby intensive farming, it nearly dried out.

“However, under our management, it has flourished into a thriving wetland that enhances flood resilience and supports the surrounding farmland.”

“Hoathly Farm presents a similar opportunity.

“This land, primarily low-grade arable used in a cropping rotation, has been worked hard for years. To meet market demands, it requires increasing amounts of artificial fertilizers and pesticides.

“The clay soil is prone to flooding from the River Teise and demands heavy intervention to produce decent yields.

“By regenerating the land and boosting biodiversity, we can improve soil health, reduce flood risks, and create a richer environment that benefits both farmers and wildlife.”

The trust argues the project would offer immense benefits, including reconnecting fragmented habitats, supporting native wildlife, including the potential return of lost species like the Pine Marten, enhancing carbon storage, flood prevention, and water quality.

The aim is to purchase 204-acre plots at Hoathly Farm known as Mount Pleasant and Clay Hill.

Mr Hadaway said: “Allowing nature to return to Hoathly Farm isn’t just about wildflowers and woodlands, it’s about shaping a future where children can grow up connected to the wild, where wildlife has space to recover, and where our farming practices enrich rather than deplete the land.”

The appeal is under time pressure.

The trust needs to reach its target of £500,000 by May 24, in order to release an offer of match funding from a sponsor.

To donate or learn more about the campaign, click here.

So far, the appeal has raised £85,373 from 546 people.