Securing offsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units within North Northamptonshire Council Local Planning Authority (LPA) is now a straightforward process. The Aldwincle Habitat Bank, strategically positioned within the Rockingham Forest National Character Area (NCA), stands as our largest nature recovery network. It is fully designed to deliver high-integrity offsite BNG compliance for developers.
Legally secured via a long-term Conservation Covenant with The Lifescape Project, this major project generates highly sought-after offsite units across a diverse ecosystem mosaic. These include Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland, Blackthorn and Mixed Scrub, Traditional Orchards, and wildflower-rich Other Neutral Grassland. The site also includes extensive wetland features like Reedbeds and Ponds designed to meet exact statutory metric requirements.
Discover how the Aldwincle Habitat Bank can provide a low-effort, low-stress path to full planning approval for your project.
The biggest of our sites, Aldwincle is a major project designed to multiply the existing local environment. By mixing different types of landscapes like woodlands, wetlands, and meadows, we are creating a mosaic where nature can thrive. This site is specifically designed to connect with the ancient woodlands and protected areas nearby, making the whole local ecosystem stronger.
The project is strategically positioned to support some of the UK’s most significant wildlife, ensuring that the biodiversity units generated here support measurable environmental recovery.
The site is located in a high value ecological corridor, sitting just 1.7 km north of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits. This area is designated as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), SPA (Special Protection Area), and Ramsar site (global wetland protection designation) due to its critical importance for migratory birds. Aldwincle is considered Functionally Linked Land (FLL) for species such as Lapwing and Golden Plover, providing essential foraging and roosting grounds.
To the east lies Wadenhoe Marsh and Achurch Meadow SSSI, while the ancient woodland immediately to the west provides a natural starting point for local wildlife to move into and settle on our land. Our planting strategy creates new hedgerows and transition scrub to link these habitats into one continuous, protected network.
The collection of habitats at Aldwincle has been carefully selected to suit the existing ground conditions and support the Rockingham Forest landscape character.
Aldwincle has been secured through a Conservation Covenant with The Lifescape Project, ensuring the habitat is managed and protected for the long term.
The site is accessible via two public rights of way. We believe that for BNG to be successful, it must be part of the community. Aldwincle provides a space for education, health, and social activities, allowing the public to witness nature recovery in action.
