Following the Environment Act 2021, which mandates a 10% net gain in biodiversity compared to pre-development levels, the scheme will deliver long-term, legally secured habitat restoration and an ability to purchase biodiversity units ‘off-the-shelf’ for developers seeking to meet BNG requirements. Dynamic pricing will be applied for developers seeking fractions to tens and hundreds of biodiversity units, as well as discounts for large volume sales.
The first registered BNG scheme to span multiple Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), this innovative scheme demonstrates how Bidwells is leading the BNG market. Sitting within Braintree District Council, Colchester City Council, and Maldon District Council, as well as within the Northern Thames Basin National Character Area, this scheme has a vast catchment for trading biodiversity units on a 1:1 basis, providing a cost-effective BNG solution to developers.
The scheme is within the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and holds high strategic significance for BNG. The environmental outcomes of the scheme will include the expansion of wildlife corridors, the creation and enhancement of habitats for turtle doves and nightingales, as well as contributing to other ecosystem services including improved air and water quality, natural flood attenuation, and increased carbon sequestration.
Bidwells will work alongside Braxted Park Estate and the three LPAs, as well as with key environmental stakeholders including Operation Turtle Dove, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and the local farm cluster. These partnerships aim to deliver meaningful and measurable improvements to ecosystem services, providing lasting benefits for both biodiversity and local communities.
Lisa Bulmer, Associate, Natural Capital at Bidwells, comments: “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 BNG scheme builds on Braxted Park Estate’s 50-year legacy of conservation and over a decade-long partnership with Bidwells, developing a comprehensive estate-wide environmental strategy.
Duncan Clark, Owner of Braxted Park Estate said: The Braxted Park BNG scheme really is setting some new “firsts” in its scope and ambition. 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. Bidwells and Farrers have brought all their considerable experience to bear in constructing such a complex environmental structure for which they were uniquely positioned. Thus far the process has been remarkably seamless and we are now looking forward to marketing the units in short order. Indeed that process has already commenced.”
Councillor Richard Siddall, Leader of Maldon District Council, said: “Working in partnership with Bidwells, the Braxted Park Estate, Braintree and Colchester Councils has provided an opportunity for real environmental improvement across our three Council areas. Managing biodiversity through biodiversity net gain ensures that, Local Authorities supporting and working in partnership with landowners can secure local areas in which nature can thrive.”
Cllr Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning at Braintree District Council, said: “This project is a fantastic example of the work that can be done using the planning process to make sure future developments are protecting and improving the environment, ensuring habitats thrive for years to come.”
James Maxwell, Rural Property Partner at Farrer & Co which advised Braxted Park Estate on the drafting and negotiating of the landmark Section 106 Planning Agreement that underpins the 30-year environmental commitment over the 173-acre site, said: "Agreeing a planning agreement with one Local Authority can be a challenge; agreeing it with three is a significant achievement. Farrer & Co's experience in setting up BNG Schemes for rural landowners allowed us to lead the three local authorities through the issues and achieve the desired outcome for our client."
Image courtesy of Braxted Park.
