Property consultancy Bidwells has launched the first Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) scheme to be registered across multiple Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).

The site is located near Witham in Essex and is situated on the 2000-acre Braxted Park Estate. Farrer & Co advised the estate on the scheme’s creation and Bidwells are bringing the BNG units to market.

Biodiversity units shall be available to purchase ‘off the shelf’, thereby aiding developers in meeting BNG requirements which have arisen following the Environment Act 2021. Discounts shall reportedly be available for large volume sales.

The 173-acre site incorporates land within Braintree District Council, Colchester City Council, Maldon District Council, the Northern Thames Basin National Character Area and the South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland National Character Area.

Duncan Clark, owner of Braxted Park Estate said: “Not only will it be the largest habitat bank in the county it is also the first in the UK to involve 3 LPA’s in a single s106 agreement so that builders in all 3 districts can meet their BNG requirements in those districts with a single s106 agreement.”

Current land use consists of arable cropping with plans under the BNG scheme to include mixed scrub, ponds, broadleaved woodland and species-rich native hedgerows among other features. A 30-year habitat management and monitoring plan shall aim to maximise environmental outcomes.

Lisa Bulmer, associate in natural capital at Bidwells said: “This project represents a major step forward in the delivery of high-integrity, landscape-scale BNG. Braxted Park Estate is the perfect partner for delivering the gold standard model for nature recovery, and this project is a major step to delivering meaningful outcomes for biodiversity and climate resilience.”

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Operation Turtle Dove and the local farm cluster are among the environmental stakeholders involved in the delivery of quantifiable ecological improvements.

James Maxwell, rural property partner at Farrer & Co said: “Agreeing a planning agreement with one Local Authority can be a challenge; agreeing it with three is a significant achievement.”

Image: Bidwells and Braxted Park

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