New nature recovery site to be built in Buckinghamshire

The Emberton Habitat Bank is part of a larger effort by Environment Bank to create eight new nature sites across the country.

The land, which is more than 500 acres in total, will be used to generate more than 800 biodiversity units.

Before picture (Image: secNewgate)

After picture (Image: secNewgate)

Environment Bank and RSK Biocensus have announced that the collection of habitat banks will be secured under a conservation covenant, allowing them to be added to the national biodiversity gain sites register.

The Emberton bank covers more than 52 hectares of land and is located near existing ancient woodland and wildlife sites.

This proximity, combined with the new habitats being created on-site, has the potential to attract species native to the area not currently present, such as nightingales, garden warblers, and turtle doves.

The land was previously degraded arable land but will now be transformed into fields of neutral grassland supporting an array of species over the next 30 years.

Joseph Soul, landowner of Emberton Habitat Bank, said: "We will receive funding to lease the land to Environment Bank for a minimum of 30 years, in return for managing the habitat bank.

"A greater range of plants and animals will increase the quality of the land, create a better landscape to visit, and very simply, offer a more aesthetically pleasing environment.

"I am very pleased to see that Environment Bank cares just as much as I do about making a positive change to my land."

Hedgerows will be planted on site, as well as a belt of scrub adjoining the mature hedgerow and existing scrub along the site's southeastern boundary.

This is expected to increase soil quality, help rebuild the ecosystem services on the site, and improve air and water quality.

After picture (Image: secNewgate)

Catherine Spitzer, CEO of Environment Bank, said: "Working alongside local farmers and landowners, Environment Bank has 25 habitat banks already live, generating over 4,000 biodiversity units.

"Securing legal agreements for these sites is the final step in unlocking the supply of biodiversity units.

"With developers required to ensure their projects benefit nature overall, this marks a significant milestone in the implementation phase.

"Now with supply unlocked, we can meet growing demand.

"This is a really positive step in helping this fledgling market thrive."

The other habitat bank sites are located in Lincolnshire, West Norfolk, Worcestershire, South Yorkshire, Oxfordshire, and Greater Manchester.