Offsite BNG Cambridgeshire: Boxworth Habitat Bank

Navigating offsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) compliance within South Cambridgeshire District Council Local Planning Authority (LPA) is now seamless. The Boxworth Habitat Bank, located within the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands National Character Area (NCA), provides developers with fully verified offsite BNG units ready for rapid allocation to clear planning conditions.

Legally secured via a robust Section 106 agreement and officially listed on the BNG register, this 20-hectare site converts intensively farmed land into a strategic nature reserve. Positioned just one kilometre north of the Overhall Grove SSSI, the site functions as an essential ecological buffer. By mimicking Cambridgeshire’s unique ancient elm woodlands, the site generates premium, high-integrity units across a diverse ecosystem mosaic, including New Woodland, Species-Rich Grassland, Traditional Orchards, and Native Hedgerows.

Why Choose Boxworth for Offsite BNG Allocation?

• Eliminate Spatial Multiplier Penalties: Sourcing units directly within South Cambridgeshire and the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands NCA guarantees maximum metric efficiency for local developments.
• Immediate Planning Approval: The site is fully registered with Natural England and backed by a legally binding Section 106 agreement, allowing our in-house experts to process your paperwork and unit allocations swiftly.
• Risk-Free 30-Year Management: Supported by local agricultural partners and professional ecologists, our dedicated land management team carries full responsibility for habitat establishment and long-term compliance.

Bringing Nature Back

We acquired this 20-hectare site in Spring 2025. Formerly intensive farmland, we have transformed it into a thriving sanctuary for local wildlife. By planting a diverse mosaic of new woodland, species-rich grassland, traditional orchards, and native hedgerows, we are creating a resilient ecosystem that will grow and flourish over its 30-year lifecycle.

A Special Place for Wildlife

Our site is located just one kilometre north of a beautiful, ancient nature reserve called Overhall Grove.

This nearby reserve is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), famous for its large, historic elm trees and 250-year-old oaks. By creating a new habitat right next door, we are building a vital bridge for nature. This allows animals and insects to move safely between our land and the protected woodland nearby, helping the local badger families, songbirds, and butterflies thrive.

Connecting to Overhall Grove

We have planted Small-leaved elm trees (Ulmus minor) to create a direct ecological connection to Overhall Grove. Because Overhall Grove is the largest elm woodland in Cambridgeshire, planting these trees at Boxworth helps expand that unique habitat and encourages the species that rely on them to spread into our site.

Why these trees are so important:

• Homes for Butterflies: The caterpillars of the rare White-letter Hairstreak butterfly rely on these elm trees to survive.
• Supporting Insects: A single mature elm can host dozens of different insect species.
• A Healthy Food Source: The seeds from these trees provide a favourite snack for birds in the spring.
• Good for the Soil: These trees work with healthy fungi in the ground to keep the soil rich and full of nutrients.

What We Have Planted

Work on the site was completed in Autumn 2025, and we are now in our 30-year care and monitoring phase. Here is what you will find growing:

• Trees: A mix of English Oak, Beech, Birch, Ash, Field Maple, Elm, Alder, Rowan, and Poplar.
• Shrubs: Hazel, Holly, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Elder, Spindle, Dogwood, Guelder Rose, and Wild Cherry.
• Flowers: We have planted a variety of wildflowers designed for long-term meadow health, including Bird's-foot Trefoil, Knapweed, Oxeye Daisy, Devil's-bit Scabious, and Yellow Rattle.

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A Place to Connect with Nature

We believe nature is for everyone. Once the planting is fully established and the habitat has had time to settle, we will open Boxworth to the public. We want this to be a space where you can enjoy the fresh air, experience the local wildlife first-hand, and truly connect with the natural world.

Our 30-Year Commitment

Success in nature restoration takes time and consistent care.

Our own land management team oversees the site, supported by our network of local farmers who know this land inside and out. We also work with expert ecologists who regularly visit to check on how the wildlife is doing. We are fully committed to making sure this land remains a healthy, safe and wild space for decades to come.

Secure BNG Units from Boxworth Habitat Bank

Are you developing a project within South Cambridgeshire or the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands?

By purchasing units directly from our fully registered Boxworth site, you can satisfy your metric requirements locally, avoiding spatial multiplier penalties. Because this site is already secured via a Section 106 agreement and registered with Natural England, your units can be allocated swiftly to unlock your planning approval.

How to Proceed:

1. Match Your Metric: We have verified woodland, grassland, orchard, and hedgerow units available.
2. Fast-Track Approvals: Our in-house planning and land experts will manage the allocation and legal paperwork seamlessly.
3. Get a Quote: Speak directly with our team to check current unit availability and secure your allocation.