Client: Private Landowner
Site: South Somerset
Aims and Objectives
With BNG now being mandatory, there are huge opportunities for landowners to deliver gains for nature across a range of different habitats and develop new income at the same time. But as with any new market, taking first steps can be challenging – and this is particularly the case with BNG metrics as there are so many variables. Getting the initial baseline survey correct - from where any uplift is calculated – is critical, and this can be particularly challenging when dealing with a large landholding comprising a range of different type and quality of habitats.
In order to maximise the BNG unit value of his land, SWTC’s client needed to capture baseline survey data on a selection of land holdings totalling approximately 76ha which included lower distinctiveness habitats such as cropland and modified grassland; as well as higher distinctiveness habitats such as woodland, ponds and reedbed.
Approach and Outcomes
First Ecology undertook a biodiversity net gain baseline survey to identify habitat types and their condition to calculate and maximise the amount of uplift – i.e. biodiversity gain - possible on this site over a 30-year period. First Ecology were able to identify a variety of 'low distinctiveness habitats’ within the landholding, including cropland and modified grassland, and from there design a realistic scheme that the landowner could implement to transform these habitats over the next 30 years into 'higher distinctiveness habitats' like other neutral grassland, woodland, scrub and reedbed. SWTC’s calculations showed that habitat unit uplifts of between +62.00 to +159.00 could be available at each of the landowner’s land parcels, averaging at over 6.5 units delivered per ha. In doing this, the landowner would be able to create the greatest uplift - i.e. biodiversity improvement - and thus the greatest financial return, on his land, alongside delivering significantly enriched habitats that provide homes and food for a whole range of wildlife.
The SWTC team were able to deliver a comprehensive report and land management plan to support the project so the landowner could commence discussions with interested developers and to look at the possibility of solidifying a legal agreement (likely a S106) with the local planning authority. To enable formal sales, each site will need a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) and to be registered on the National Biodiversity Gain Sites Register which SWTC will also be able to facilitate.
Read More
Ready to discuss your next project?