Located near Basingstoke, our sold-out 4-hectare Polhampton Farm Habitat Bank is a prime example of how nature recovery can thrive on a targeted, smaller scale. Created in partnership with local landowners Oliver and Emily Dallyn, this project demonstrates that modest sites can deliver significant environmental benefits when backed by a clear ecological plan. By enhancing underused land, we are directly supporting Hampshire's regional biodiversity targets.
The surrounding landscape is a mosaic of intensive farmland, paddocks, and small, isolated woods. In fragmented environments like this, disconnected habitats act as barriers, making it difficult for wildlife to travel, forage, and breed safely.
Our core objective at Polhampton Farm was to establish a "stepping stone" habitat. By bridging the gaps between existing woodland fragments, we have made it easier for insects, birds, and small mammals to move across the countryside. This structural variety strengthens the resilience of the entire local ecosystem.
To maximize the ecological uplift across the 4-hectare site, we selected a diverse mix of native species that provide continuous food and shelter throughout the year:
Ground preparation and initial grassland seeding began in Spring 2025, and all tree and shrub planting was successfully completed by Autumn 2025. This fast, efficient turnaround highlights our ability to work closely with landowners to deliver verified ecological benefits without delay.
Polhampton Farm is legally secured by a formal agreement with Winchester City Council, guaranteeing that this land will be managed, monitored, and protected for nature for at least 30 years.
The project was custom-designed to satisfy a specific regional requirement, creating 15 high-integrity Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units to support a development site in Swanmore. The habitat is now fully established, and we are pleased to report that all 15 BNG units have been successfully sold and allocated.
Polhampton Farm stands as a model for how forward-thinking land stewardship can meet mandatory development needs, creating a permanent ecological asset that will benefit Hampshire’s wildlife for decades to come.
While the units at Polhampton Farm are now fully sold out, BNG Partnership is actively developing and registering new habitat banks across the region.
If you have an upcoming project near Basingstoke, Winchester, or the wider Hampshire area and need to secure compliant, registered units to clear your planning conditions, our team can help. We combine in-house planning and land expertise with a growing national network to find the right match for your statutory metric rules.
