GCF has undertaken a financial appraisal to identify the endowment value required to maintain three conservation sites for South-East Devon Wildlife (SEDW), enabling them to plan delivery of maintenance and protection projects for the sites into perpetuity.
SEDW is a partnership of Exeter City, East Devon, and Teignbridge District Councils that protects three internationally important conservation sites: the Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren, and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. These sites are critical for maintaining biodiversity and providing recreational spaces while balancing the needs of wildlife and human activity.
financial appraisal report
To prepare the report, our team first conducted a thorough examination of the inputs provided by South-East Devon Wildlife, which included annual and cyclical capital and operational costs.
We then held a workshop with key members of SEDW and their regulating committee to run through questions, ensuring the data was complete and that all aspects were considered and understood ahead of preparing the appraisal.
We created a model that incorporated the costs and investment growth, calculating the endowment values required throughout the modelling period to meet costs on an ongoing basis. Sensitivity analysis was performed, considering factors such as inflation rates for costs and expected investment returns. This comprehensive approach ensured that the financial model was robust and adaptable to changing economic conditions.
We delivered a final report presenting the bespoke financial model to stakeholders, which included detailed projections and actionable insights for long-term financial planning. The report highlighted the importance of sustained investment to mitigate the impacts of increased recreational pressure and urban development on these protected sites.
The Global City Futures solution
“We partnered with the GCF team to conduct a thorough financial review of our evolving strategy. Throughout the process, their professionalism and responsiveness were exemplary, making our collaboration a pleasure. With GCF’s expert guidance, we are advancing a multi-year strategy that not only secures our financial stability but also aligns with our commitment to ecological sustainability for the future.”
Neil Harris, Habitat Regulations Delivery Manager for East Devon, Exeter, and Teignbridge Councils.
The South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee (SEDHREC) overseeing the work is collaborating with partners including Natural England, Clinton Devon Estates, National Trust, RSPB, Exe Estuary Management Partnership, and Devon Wildlife Trust to mitigate the effects of new developments and population growth on these protected sites. Their combined efforts ensure that these critical habitats are preserved for future generations while accommodating the needs of a growing population.
