Net Zero Landscape, Blenheim
Project Summary
Under this landscape-scale change project, Blenheim Palace will transition 53 hectares of arable land into a mix of woodland and calcareous grassland and wetland, to achieve a range of natural capital objectives including net zero.
Outcomes
- Transition 53 ha from arable to woodland and calcareous grassland/wetland
- Carbon sequestration –225 t/CO2e per year
- Reduction in flood event runoff of 4,334 m3, slowing and delaying flood peaks as water is held in the soils
- Reducing agricultural inputs could decrease losses of Phosphorus, Nitrates and sediment by 6.3, 122 and 2,206 kg/yr improving water quality
- Filtering and removing agricultural pollutants could reduce ammonia emissions by 302 kg per year, improving air quality
- Increased permission of footpath use around the scheme and community orchard
Other information
Organisation
Blenheim Palace.
Total Cost
£2,274,303.
Remaining
£2,274,303.
Investment Type
Open to debt, equity, bonds etc. Preference for direct investment, but will consider pooled investment and blended finance.
ROI
10% over 30 years.
Timeline
Land is currently in agricultural production linked to an annual rolling tenancy which will be addressed once investment is secure. Scheme aiming to commence in 2026.
Land Ownership
Blenheim Palace controls all land covered by the scheme. Estates team manages 5,200ha landholding.
Revenue Generation
BNG credits and associated carbon. Assessment has shown there are many other benefits that could be traded ‘in kind’.
Supporting Information
Investment details outstanding. Financial model, maps, photography, diagrams, logos, videos, and pitch resources all available. May required either Forestry Commission, Natural England or Environment Agency sign off but not planning. In-house bespoke revenue model for BNG projects considers the different cost elements that would make up a 30-year scheme. Detailed data is available on the land use of the scheme area and metric and market rates have been used to monetise different credits.