Blackdowns Habitat Bank

Overview

The Blackdowns habitat bank proposal will enhance an existing species-poor grassland field into a more diverse and ecologically valuable landscape through a range of habitat creation options focused on species-rich grassland, mixed scrub, and scattered native trees. The preferred enhancement options include restoring the field to other neutral grassland through soil nutrient reduction, green hay application, and carefully managed grazing and hay cutting regimes, with alternative proposals allowing for natural scrub regeneration and the gradual development of wood pasture features through mixed scrub establishment and native tree planting. Management will focus on reducing nutrient inputs, increasing floral diversity, and creating varied habitat structure to support pollinators, birds, bats, and wider wildlife assemblages. The site lies within strategic ecological zones, including a grey long-eared bat sustenance area and the River Axe nutrient neutrality catchment, meaning habitat enhancement will also contribute towards improved ecological connectivity, reduced nutrient runoff, increased water retention, and natural flood management benefits. Overall, the proposals offer a strong opportunity to create a resilient, wildlife-rich habitat bank delivering between 15.57 and 17.40 biodiversity units, secured through long-term management and monitoring under a 30-year Biodiversity Net Gain agreement.