SKIPTON MP Julian Smith CBE visited a recently relocated addiction clinic during a visit to see the ongoing rewilding of the Broughton Estate, near Skipton.

Mr Smith was at the estate to see the planting of more than 230,000 trees, making it one of the current biggest tree planting schemes in England, and also its wellbeing centre, Avalon.

He was given a tour of the estate by its current custodian, Roger Tempest, whose family have lived at Broughton since the end of the 11th century.

Mr Tempest has turned his attention to the landscape of the estate having transformed many of its buildings into a business park and holiday homes and says he is determined to leave the ‘sanctuary’ in a much healthier condition for future generations.

In addition to the tree planting, some areas of the estate have been left to go completely wild, with insects and wildlife already returning in increasing numbers.

Mr Smith said he was very impressed with the programme, which will eventually see around a third of the estate giver over to ‘nature recovery’, has been supported by the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund

He also visited the Bonds Clinic, a family run addiction treatment facility which has recently relocated to Broughton.

He met with Dr Youssef Beanini who showed Mr Smith around the new premises and explained about the services that the clinic provides.

Mr Smith also took a look at some of the different holiday homes at the estate, including a shepherd’s hut, and learned about some of the activities on offer, such as foraging and wild swimming.

“It is brilliant that the Broughton Hall Estate have embarked on this rewilding journey to protect and restore nature,” said Mr Smith.

“This will help ensure that nature and the environment is in an even better condition for future generations. I was also glad to see that the holiday homes are back open for guests and that the Bonds Clinic have set up their new premises on estate.

“The whole estate looks set to have a busy summer ahead.”