Securing BNG Units in Sussex: Ote Hall Habitat Bank

Fulfilling offsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements within Lewes District Council Local Planning Authority (LPA) is now simple and secure. The Ote Hall Habitat Bank, located near Burgess Hill within the Low Weald National Character Area (NCA), offers fully compliant offsite BNG units ready for immediate allocation to your project.

Legally secured via a signed Section 106 agreement with Lewes District Council and officially listed on the BNG register, this 14-hectare nature recovery site transforms former agricultural land into a high-integrity environmental asset. Handled end-to-end by BNG Partnership alongside the historic landowners, the site delivers a verified mix of Wildflower Grassland, Traditional Orchard, Mixed Scrub, and Native Hedgerow units designed to streamline your planning approval.

Why Partner with Ote Hall for Offsite BNG?

• Full Planning Compliance: 100% verified units matching the statutory metric needs for developers operating under Lewes District Council and the Low Weald NCA.
• Guaranteed Legal Security: Registered on the BNG Register, providing a bulletproof, low-stress legal pathway to clear your environmental planning conditions.
• Proven Land Management: Combining a 16th-century farming legacy with modern ecological oversight, ensuring the habitat is successfully managed on the ground for the mandatory 30-year term.

Blending History with Nature Recovery

Ote Hall, our Lewes Habitat Bank, is built on the combination of long farming history and modern nature conservation. Located near Burgess Hill, this project is transforming 14 hectares of former farmland into a thriving nature reserve. It shows that we can protect our heritage while creating a new, sustainable future for our countryside.

A Legacy of Care

The Godman family has looked after Ote Hall since the 16th Century, building the original hall in 1530. For generations, this site was a busy farming hub with livestock, workers, and woodland. Many of the ancient oak trees standing today date back to the time the farm was first established. By working with the current owners, Carola and Matthew Godman, we are helping the land start a new chapter: instead of just producing crops, it is now also producing biodiversity.

A Secured Future

The Ote Hall Habitat Bank was officially secured by a legal agreement (Section 106) with Lewes District Council and listed on the national register in Summer 2025. It is now a key site for nature recovery in the south of England, helping local developers meet their environmental goals.

Work began in Autumn 2025 and will be finished by Summer 2026. A key element of this project is expert management from the existing landowners, with support and oversight from our ecological experts. This ensures that the people who know the land best are the ones looking after it.

A Mosaic of Habitats

We have designed the site to include a variety of habitats, creating a wildlife highway that connects different parts of the landscape. Each area serves a specific purpose:

• Wildflower Grassland: Stretching across 10.3 hectares, this is the heart of the site. We have planted native flowers like bird's-foot trefoil and devil's-bit scabious to provide essential food for bees and butterflies, including the Marsh Fritillary. The tall grass also provides a perfect home for small mammals, which in turn attract birds of prey.
• Traditional Orchard: Spanning 2.3 hectares, our new orchard features over 200 trees, including apple, pear, and plum. This area offers early nectar in the spring and vital fruit for birds like Redwings and Fieldfares in the winter. The mix of young and old trees also creates homes for beetles and other insects.
• Mixed Scrub: 1.5 hectares of dense shrubs, such as hawthorn and dogwood, provide a safe haven for wildlife. This thick cover is perfect for nesting birds like warblers and finches and provides food for moth caterpillars. In the winter, it offers shelter for hedgehogs.
• New Hedgerows: We have planted over 700 metres of new hedges. These act as pathways for animals like badgers and foxes to move safely through the countryside. They also provide protection for nesting songbirds and berries for birds to eat during colder months.
• River Planting: Along 50 metres of the River Adur, we are planting reeds and marsh plants to protect the riverbanks. This creates a wet, healthy habitat that supports dragonflies, damselflies, and amphibians like frogs and toads.

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Ote Hall shows how private land can adapt to support nature. By blending its rich history with these new environmental improvements, we are ensuring this landscape remains a healthy, vibrant home for wildlife for many years to come.

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