Navigating offsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) compliance within Test Valley Borough Council Local Planning Authority (LPA) is now simple and secure. The Stockbridge Habitat Bank, situated within the Hampshire Downs National Character Area (NCA), offers developers fully verified offsite BNG units ready for immediate allocation to satisfy planning conditions.
Legally secured and officially listed on the BNG Register, this strategic nature recovery site delivers a high-integrity environmental solution. By blending targeted land management with natural regeneration, Stockbridge generates high-demand, high-distinctiveness units aligned perfectly with the Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). Available options include rare Calcareous (Chalk) Grassland, Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland, and essential linear Native Hedgerow and Scrub units.
Why Choose Stockbridge for Offsite BNG Allocation?
Satisfy Complex Trading Rules: Sourcing rare, high-distinctiveness chalk grassland units directly within the Test Valley and Hampshire Downs NCA ensures seamless compliance with statutory metric requirements.
Immediate Planning Clearance: The site is fully registered with Natural England and backed by a Conservation Covenant, allowing our team to issue allocation certificates swiftly to meet your determination deadlines.
Guaranteed 30-Year Compliance: Managed by our in-house land team alongside local agricultural partners, the project eliminates developer risk by securing long-term habitat monitoring and maintenance on the ground.
Available Unit Types at Stockbridge:
Calcareous (Chalk) Grassland Units: Rare, high-distinctiveness units required for complex trading rules and aligned with the Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland Units: High-value habitat units to offset woodland canopy loss.
Native Hedgerow & Scrub Units: Linear units perfect for satisfying connectivity requirements.
Trail Camera at Stockbridge Habitat Bank
A Natural Approach to Growth
At Stockbridge, we are using natural regeneration where appropriate to support existing wildlife. While many sites require intensive planting, a portion of Stockbridge is being allowed to rewild naturally.
Natural Expansion: We are allowing existing Blackthorn to spread on its own to create thick, hardy scrub habitats.
Managed Success: Once these areas are established, we will manage them carefully to ensure they provide perfect nesting cover without overtaking the open grasslands.
Key Habitats
Species Rich Chalk Grassland
In line with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), we are restoring rare Calcareous Grassland. This is often described as the European equivalent of the tropical rainforest due to the sheer number of species it supports. At Stockbridge, this habitat provides a vital home for:
Pollinators: Rare butterflies like the Adonis Blue, Chalk Hill Blue, and Duke of Burgundy rely on the specific wildflowers found here.
Ground Nesting Birds: Skylarks and Grey Partridges thrive in the open, sheltered structure of chalk downland.
Specialist Flora: Our diverse seed mix includes Kidney Vetch, Clustered Bellflower, and Horseshoe Vetch.
Woodland and Glades
The site sits next to an existing woodland, and we are extending this footprint with new Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland. To maximise biodiversity, we are incorporating:
Rides and Glades: Open pathways and sunny clearings within the woods to support butterflies and sun loving insects.
Transition Zones: Soft edges where the woodland meets the grassland, providing a safe haven and food sources for birds and small mammals.
Traditional Orchards and Hedgerows
We are also planting traditional orchards and species rich native hedgerows. These act as vital corridors, linking the new habitats at Stockbridge to the wider Hampshire countryside.
Greengage - Orchard Tree
Ecological Impact
By restoring these specific habitats, Stockbridge provides a long term sanctuary for local wildlife. The combination of open, sunny chalk grassland and dense, protective woodland creates the ideal mosaic for pollinators, birds of prey, and rare downland butterflies.
Why Work with BNG Partnership at Stockbridge?
Fully Registered & Secure: Registered on the Natural England Biodiversity Gain Sites Register in May 2026 and backed by a completed legal agreement, these units are ready to be allocated to your planning application immediately.
In-House Planning & Land Expertise: We don't just sell credits. Our specialist team guides you through the statutory metric trading rules, ensuring the units you purchase perfectly match your planning conditions for a smooth approval.
Verified 30-Year Delivery: Managed by our dedicated land team alongside local agricultural partners, our site guarantees the long-term ecological uplift required by law.
How to Secure Your Units:
Don't let BNG requirements delay your determination date. Whether you need a single hedgerow unit or a complex mix of high-distinctiveness chalk grassland and woodland credits, we can provide an instant estimate.
Contact Us Directly
Whether you are working to tight planning deadlines or managing a multi-year phased rollout, we provide the flexibility to align with your specific milestones.
Our team is ready to build a bespoke BNG strategy that fits your timeline, ensuring your project moves forward without administrative delay.
