For a private client

PROJECT BRIEF

Maydencroft Limited was commissioned to carry out a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Baseline Assessment & Strategy for 84ha of farmland located near the town of Towcester in West Northamptonshire, with the aim of determining potential for creation of a Habitat Bank. The farm is located within National Character Area (NCA) 89: Northamptonshire Vales, and bordered to the south and east by the River Tove, a tributary of the River Great Ouse.

ASSESS

A BNG Baseline Survey carried out by our Ecologists showed that the site largely consists of expansive arable fields with smaller areas of modified grassland, other mixed and broadleaved woodland, and rural trees, with a network of surrounding hedgerows and ditches. Calculations using Biodiversity Metric 4.0 showed that the site has a relatively low baseline with significant potential for unit generation through habitat creation and enhancement. Suitable habitat creation options would include Lowland Meadow and/or Neutral Grassland, Wet Woodlands around the fringes with the River Tove, and Mixed Scrub. The next stage of this project will be to work with the landowner and other key stakeholders to design a Landscape Masterplan and HMMP that maximises nature recovery whilst meeting their own aspirations for the land.

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