A POPULAR National Trust site that lies between Stourbridge and Bromsgrove is set to benefit from a record donation the charity received from a philanthropist.
The organisation received the largest cash donation in its 131-year history from Humphrey Battcock, it announced yesterday (January 12).
Ms Battcock pledged £10 million in unrestricted funding, some of which will be utilised in the stunning Clent Hills.
Part of the Trust’s 2026 plans include rolling out a nature-based solution to improve wastewater treatment at Clent Hills.
The site’s variable footfall and position on a slope make it a suitable location for a combined vertical-flow and surface flow reed bed that uses gravity and natural processes to effectively treat wastewater generated from visitor operations, the National Trust said.
This approach has been tested at smaller Trust sites, but is being scaled up at Clent Hills, a site that can receive up to 500,000 visitors a year, and forms part of the charity’s plans to reach net zero by 2030.
Mr Battcock said: “The National Trust represents what is best about our society, preserving our shared heritage for all the people.
“For over 130 years, it has been at the vanguard of progress for the United Kingdom.
“Its deep commitment to sustainability and to providing access for more people resonates with the values of its founders and reminds us of what is special about our country.”
He added: “In making this donation, I want to emphasise that it is unrestricted; I will have no say over how the charity spends it – and that is because I trust the National Trust to know how best this money can be used.”
Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “This gift is a huge boost for the National Trust - both because of the vital work it will fund and because of the faith Humphrey has shown in our approach by making it unrestricted.
“We believe the challenges we're setting out to tackle through our new strategy will define our generation: we must halt the freefall decline in nature before it becomes irreversible; end unequal access to nature, beauty and history; and inspire millions more people to care for the world around them.”
Share