Dersingham Habitat Bank, Norfolk

Local planning authority (LPA): Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

National Character Area (NCA): North West Norfolk

Biodiversity Units available:

High distinctiveness habitats

Reedbeds
Ponds (priority habitat)

Medium distinctiveness habitats

Mixed scrub
Other neutral grassland

Our 20-hectare Dersingham Habitat Bank – which sits between the village of Dersingham and the Norfolk coast – has been created to restore local ecosystems and increase the resilience of the land against extreme weather. We are working to build a nurturing environment for native wildlife and provide a home for rare and threatened species including internationally protected migratory birds.

Following a thorough assessment of the site's vegetation, wildlife, geology, hydrology, soil chemistry, management history, and landscape connectivity, we determined the best possible habitats to establish and made sure these enhancements would be deliverable. We established an ecological baseline for the site using Defra’s Statutory Biodiversity Metric, so we can clearly demonstrate biodiversity gains over time.

This assessment enables us to generate a range of high-integrity Biodiversity Unit habitat types that will ensure robust ecological outcomes. We also offer planning support to make sure our Biodiversity Units provide an effective local BNG delivery solution for developers within the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk LPA area and the North West Norfolk NCA. Our Units are ready to purchase now, subject to availability.

Adjacent LPAs for cross-boundary coverage:

Breckland Council
West Suffolk Council
Fenland District Council
North Norfolk District Council
South Holland District Council
East Cambridgeshire District Council

Adjacent NCAs for cross-boundary coverage:

The Fens
The Brecks
Mid Norfolk
North Norfolk Coast
Central North Norfolk

Dersingham Habitat Bank, originally made up of arable field parcels and grassland, is being transformed into a biodiverse space that benefits existing wildlife and connects habitats within the local area.

A diverse mix of habitats are being created; this includes scrubland, reedbeds and ponds. We predict to see an abundance of key wildlife emerging, including wetland-based birds such as terns, gulls, waders, and birds of prey. With Dersingham Bog SSSI – a notable wetland – on the doorstep, our qualified ecologists hope to build habitats to support the nationally rare sundew plant, as well as multiple mosses and lichens.

With unprecedented climate risks, this Habitat Bank is designed with increased land resilience in mind – helping the area to become better able to withstand floods and droughts. The wider ecosystem benefits we’re aiming to achieve include improving the health and quality of soil and water, provide better flood mitigation, and increase the land’s carbon storage.