A LEADING property consultancy has won a key contract to manage the Woodland Trust’s largest estate in England.

Fisher German has been awarded a three-year contract to look after the 1,700 acre Smithills Estate, after winning a competitive tender.

The firm’s Knutsford office will be responsible for the management of the estate’s property portfolio.

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This includes 12 farming tenancies on-site, advising on opportunities for diversification, regular asset reviews, and more.

The estate, located northwest of Bolton, consists of a mix of woodland, farmland, grassland, ravines and peat bogs.

The natural environment is carefully conserved by the Woodland Trust to ensure a balance between encouraging wildlife and sustainable farming is maintained.

The successful bid follows Fisher German’s successful management of land owned by the National Forest in Leicestershire over the past two years.

Matthew Burton, associate partner at Fisher German, who will be leading on the contract, said: “This is the first time we’ll be working on an estate managed by the Woodland Trust.

“We’re really looking forward to helping the estate more efficiently managing its property while allowing it to focus on preserving the wonderful natural environment.

“Our previous experience in managing land owned by the National Forest impressed during the tender process and helped persuade the Woodland Trust to award us the contract.

“We have got to work straight away on site.

“We hope this will be the start of working on further sites with the Woodland Trust in years to come.”