Habitat enhancements have been carried out on 37 acres of agricultural land at the family-owned farm to generate a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) scheme creating 94 Habitat units and 2.7 Hedgerow units for developers seeking off-site BNG mitigation. The scheme will be monitored by RSK Wilding over the next 30 years in line with the approved Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP).
Somerset Wildlife Trust Consultancy, who has been instrumental in the preparation of the site and HMMP, will continue to work alongside Kingwell, The Lang Partnership and RSK Biocensus, to oversee the management of the habitat and BNG reports using their skills and expertise in nature recovery.
Working in collaboration with its consulting bodies, Kingwell and The Lang Partnership will maximise the potential biodiversity value through the management and creation of a range of habitats to encourage flora and fauna. These new habitats are comprised of neutral grassland, mixed scrub and species-rich hedgerows.
Over 30 wildflower and grass species have been planted on the land using seed from existing wildflower meadows at Home Farm, along with trees, scrub and new hedgerows to encourage wildlife including small mammals and invertebrates such as the brown hairstreak butterfly, as well as creating foraging opportunities for birds and bats.
Situated within Somerset LPA, the scheme can service developments in Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Wellington, Minehead, Crewkerne, Chard, Ilminster, Wincanton, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet and Frome. Offers from adjoining LPAs and further afield will also be considered.
The Home Farm, run by The Lang Partnership, is a key environmental link between West Sedgemoor SSSI and West Moor SSSI, utilising a network of existing environmental connectivity. Under a Conservation Covenant with RSK Wilding, the Home Farm BNG Scheme will deliver high-integrity Biodiversity units that provide multiple co-benefits, which will be managed in partnership with Somerset Wildlife Trust Consultancy.
Developers now must ensure biodiversity is left in a better state than it was before any development takes place, which requires a 10% improvement or ‘Biodiversity Net Gain.’ Kingwell and The Lang Partnership Somerset BNG scheme offers local and national developers an off-site, flexible solution for meeting this biodiversity target where on-site mitigation is not feasible.
BNG habitats will be brought forward in phases to respond to market demand, with each area being recorded on the national BNG register.
Alistair Emery, founder of Kingwell, comments:
“This ambitious project requiring collaboration between The Lang Partnership, Kingwell and Somerset Wildlife Trust Consultancy, has resulted in a high-quality BNG scheme that will deliver strategic and well-managed biodiversity at scale for developments in the Somerset area and beyond. Delivered under a Conservation Covenant with RSK Biocensus, Kingwell is delighted to be working with The Lang Partnership, whose experience of combining environmental schemes alongside traditional farming makes them the perfect example of how a landowner can be incentivised to roll out a nature-based recovery solution at scale.”
Harry Lang, The Lang Partnership, comments:
“Home Farm has been in various environmental schemes for over 25 years, so the new habitats we have created for BNG will revert additional areas of poor-quality arable land to species-rich wildflower meadows without significant impact on agricultural output. These BNG habitats will also link into a wider network of environmental connectivity and corridors including flower-rich grass margins, existing wildflower meadows, wetlands and woodlands.”
Dr Tim Graham, lead for RSK Biocensus as the Responsible Body, comments:
“We always welcome agreeing conservation covenants like these. Agricultural business and land- owners like The Lang Partnership offer a rich history of conservation success, so with a well-evidenced and quality ecological approach, it is great to ease their access to the BNG Market and play a part in their delivery of local nature recovery actions.”
Robyn Ablitt, Somerset Wildlife Trust Consultancy, comments:
“This scheme is a fantastic example of how farming and nature can thrive together. Creating high-quality, site-appropriate habitats supports biodiversity while enabling continued agriculture. Home Farm is an inspiring demonstration of what’s possible for nature recovery in Somerset and beyond, and we’re proud to have played a part in bringing this vision to life.”
For more information or to buy BNG units, please visit www.kingwell.co.uk or call 020 3916 6000.
