A new housing development in Queniborough will meet its Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements following the purchase of units from the Midlands’ off-site unit provider, The Habitat Bank.
Davidsons Homes has secured units at The Habitat Bank’s Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake site, which is currently Charnwood’s only bank site.
The transaction enables Davidsons Homes to deliver its Willow Grove development, which will bring 47 homes to the Leicestershire village, as the firm’s land director, Richard Stevenson explains: “When it became clear it wouldn’t be possible to achieve the full BNG requirement on site at Willow Grove, we hoped to find a solution that would enable us to make meaningful environmental gains nearby.
“Through collaboration with The Habitat Bank, we were able to secure units at their bank site in Radcliffe-on-the-Wreake, which is less than 3km from our Willow Grove site. The Habitat Bank’s smooth handling of the transaction gave us confidence throughout the process, and we are pleased to be contributing to ecological restoration across Charnwood.”
The Habitat Bank’s Radcliffe-on-the-Wreake site represented Charnwood’s first statutorily established BNG offset site. Extending to over 70 acres and running adjacent to the River Wreake, the site will restore, create and enhance diverse habitats, including grassland, scrubland, traditional orchards and hedgerows.
Trevor Wells, director & co-founder of The Habitat Bank, negotiated the sale. He said: “It’s excellent news to have secured the sale of these units at Radcliffe-on-the-Wreake, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of nature-positive development in the region.
“The Davidsons team has been fully engaged throughout, truly taking the time to understand the mechanisms and long-term benefits of off-site BNG. Their proactive approach has been instrumental in achieving an outcome that will not only significantly benefit local biodiversity but also create high quality, sustainable homes for Leicestershire families.”
The Habitat Bank was advised by RammSanderson Ecology Ltd and Shakespeare Martineau, with support from Charnwood Borough Council to bring the site forward.
