Premier Habitat Banks in Yorkshire Dales, Tunbridge Wells & Wealden

Featured BNG Sites – For developers and planners navigating the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements under the Environment Act 2021, securing compliant, high-quality off-site units is a critical challenge. This page highlights our premier network of registered and ecologically significant BNG habitat banks in the Yorkshire Dales, Tunbridge Wells, and Wealden local planning areas. Each featured site is designed to meet the 10% net gain requirement, is secured by a legal agreement for at least 30 years, and contributes to strategic nature recovery . We will aim to update this page periodically with a view of promoting our clients most interesting sites.

Premier BNG Sites in England

The following table provides a summary of our featured BNG sites and habitat banks, detailing their locations, key habitats, and coverage.

Site Name & Location	Key BNG Habitats Created	Local Planning Authority (LPA) & Coverage	Distinctive Ecological Vision
Ingleton Habitat Bank North Yorkshire	Lowland Meadows (Very High), Ponds & Rivers (High), Mixed Scrub (Medium)	Primary LPA: North Yorkshire Council Adjacent Coverage: Yorkshire Dales National Park, Leeds, York	Introducing native woodland, rich meadow species, scrub and hedgerow.
North Yorkshire Habitat Bank Project (Yorkshire Dales)	Lowland Meadow, Mixed Scrub, Woodland	Primary LPA: North Yorkshire Council Adjacent Coverage: Yorkshire Dales National Park	One of the first registered BNG sites in North Yorkshire via a signed Section 106 agreement.
Habitat Bank East Sussex	Lowland Meadows (Very High), Mixed Scrub, Woodland, Ponds (Medium)	Primary LPA: Wealden District Council Adjacent Coverage: Tunbridge Wells, Lewes, South Downs	Creates a mosaic of grassland, scrub, and ponds so as to connect ancient woodland parcels in the High Weald.
Tunbridge Wells + Ashford Habitat Bank Rolvenden, Kent	Information pending registration (ex-arable/pasture restoration)	Primary LPAs: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Ashford Borough Council	Restoring 69 acres of low-grade pasture, including ancient orchard, for biodiversity revival.

Spotlight on Featured BNG Sites in Local Planning Authorities

Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Dales National Park LPA is characterised by iconic upland habitats like heather moorland, species-rich hay meadows, and limestone grassland. BNG delivery here focuses on protecting these sensitive areas and enhancing ecological connectivity.

North Yorkshire Habitat Bank: Strategically positioned near the Ingleton, this site directly serves the North Yorkshire Council LPA and provides adjacent coverage for the Yorkshire Dales National Park LPA. Its creation of high-distinctiveness lowland meadows, offers a robust off-site solution for developments impacting valuable upland habitats.

Tunbridge Wells Borough

The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council requires all BNG proposals to follow the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy—prioritising avoidance, then mitigation, before pursuing compensation via off-site units or credits. The council also follows the Kent Interim Strategic Significance Guidance, which can increase the value of habitat units by up to 15% if they are in a locally strategic location.

Featured Local Solution: While the dedicated local site is registering units, the Habitat Bank in neighbouring Wealden provides immediate, adjacent LPA coverage for Tunbridge Wells developments. This offers a practical pathway to compliant off-site gain.

Wealden District

Wealden District Council’s landscape is shaped by the High Weald AONB, featuring ancient woodlands, hedgerows, and grasslands. Its BNG policy mandates a minimum 10% gain, achievable through on-site work or off-site units.

Habitat Bank: This is a premier, ready-to-purchase BNG solution directly within the Wealden LPA. Its work to transform pasture into a habitat mosaic directly supports the ecological priorities of the High Weald, providing units for local developers and creating public access to nature.

Understanding BNG Compliance: A Quick Guide

For your application to be valid in areas like Tunbridge Wells, you must submit specific information. The following flowchart outlines the typical documentation pathway from application to approval to help you plan.

Key Compliance Notes:

Mandatory Submission: Your application must include the completed statutory biodiversity metric calculation showing the pre-development habitat value.
Exemptions: Some developments are exempt, including householder applications and projects impacting under 25m² of non-priority habitat.
The Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP): This detailed plan, required before development commences, outlines how the 10% gain will be achieved and managed for 30 years. Using a registered off-site habitat bank like those featured above is a proven method to satisfy this requirement reliably .

How to Secure Units from These Featured Sites

Contact Us for Availability: Unit prices and availability vary by site and habitat type. Therefore contact our team for the latest information on the Ingleton, Ashford or Tunbridge Wells sites.
Verify Site Registration: All legitimate off-site BNG must be recorded on the government’s Biodiversity Gain Sites Register. We provide the unique site register number for each habitat bank for your due diligence.
Integrate into Your Planning Application: We can provide the necessary documentation for your Biodiversity Gain Statement or draft Biodiversity Gain Plan to demonstrate a secure off-site solution.

Beyond These Areas?

We source BNG units from a national network of trusted providers. Get in touch today to view other featured BNG sites outside of those discussed. Use our search to find compliant units in the right location.

Get in touch today to discuss your project’s needs, obtain pricing, and secure high-integrity BNG units from England’s leading habitat banks. So contact us today about your habitat bank and we will add your site to our register. We offer great rates of between 3-5% referral fee dependent on size of habitat bank.