Tarmac launches biodiversity net gain habitat banks
Tarmac will develop new biodiversity net gain (BNG) habitat banks to provide the property and housebuilding sectors with access to biodiversity net gain units.
The company is bringing forward sites in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Warwickshire and Bristol to provide local developers and community partners with up to 250 BNG units over 75 hectares of land.
Its first site in Bedfordshire, located next to Kings Wood and Rushmere National Nature Reserve, has received approval from Central Bedfordshire Council and is formally registered with Natural England to provide the development industry with a site offering 35 BNG units.
Purchasing these units enables developers to fulfil their planning requirements to deliver a 10 per cent uplift in biodiversity value.
The development of the Central Bedfordshire site will see Tarmac restore 6.7 hectares of low-value grassland into wildlife-rich habitats. This agreement makes Tarmac the first mineral products business to secure local authority approval to develop a BNG habitat bank.
Tarmac’s Bedfordshire habitat bank has been developed in partnership with Integrated Land Management, a specialist BNG project developer, with advice and support from The Greensand Trust, a local conservation charity. Tarmac and The Greensand Trust have worked together for over 30 years to restore heathland and ancient woodland habitats at the adjacent National Nature Reserve.
Michael Charlton, Estates Manager at Tarmac, said: “As housebuilding and infrastructure development ramps up in Bedfordshire, developers will be looking for sites that can help them to comply with their biodiversity net gain requirements if they cannot fulfil these on site.
“The development of our habitat bank will connect existing habitats and build on our long track record of restoring biodiversity in the area and helping wildlife to thrive. Our local partners have helped to shape the project and there will be opportunity for the local community to get involved as it progresses.”
Ross Halley, Land & Natural Resources Director, added: “With more than 100,000 acres of land under our stewardship, and as long-term custodians of the land, we are committed to enhancing biodiversity across our award-winning estate.
“Opening up this opportunity for developers will enable them to benefit from our experience and expertise in supporting biodiversity net gain. Following the development of the Hertfordshire, Warwickshire and Bristol sites, we hope to expand the network more widely across the country to help more developers meet their BNG requirements.”