Project Neptune

For other uses, see Project Neptune (Water Distribution System).

Project Neptune, also known as Enterprise Neptune, is a long-term project of the National Trust to acquire or put under covenant a substantial part of the Welsh, English and Northern Irish coastline. In 1999 it was relaunched as the Neptune Coastline Campaign. The Project currently looks after 710 miles (1,140 km) of British coastline.^[1]

The Project began in 1965, with the acquisition of Whiteford Burrows in the Gower Peninsula.^[2] By 1973 the project had reached its original £2 million fundraising target and looked after 338 miles (544 km) of coastline.^[2] By 1986 the National Trust had raised £8.75 million through Project Neptune.^[2]

The Project owns some of Britain's most iconic coast including land near to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and 5.5 miles (8.9 km) of the White Cliffs of Dover.^[2] The Project has not been completely successful in achieving its ambitions, having had its £1 million bid for Land's End turned down in 1981.^[2]

The Project is currently focussed on the maintenance of the coastline that it already owns, particularly with regard to coastal management.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Neptune Coastline Campaign information at the National Trust
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} National Trust: Neptune Coastline Campaign, the story so far