Emberton Habitat Bank

County: Buckinghamshire
Local planning authority (LPA): Milton Keynes City Council
National Character Area (NCA): Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands
Biodiversity gain sites register number: BGS-040924004

Birds-eye render of Emberton Habitat Bank before restoration

Very high distinctiveness habitats

Lowland meadows

High distinctiveness habitats

Lowland mixed deciduous woodland
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees

Medium distinctiveness habitats

Mixed scrub
Other neutral grassland
Species-rich native hedgerow

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Habitat Bank overview

Emberton Habitat Bank is strategically located in proximity to existing ancient woodland and Local Wildlife Sites, providing fantastic ecological connectivity.

This proximity, combined with the new habitats being created on-site, has the potential to attract species native to the area not currently present. This may include species such as nightingales, garden warblers, and turtle doves.

BNG delivery

At every Habitat Bank, we always look at the land to determine what can be achieved from the very start. Our biodiversity experts assess the soil, wildlife, vegetation, geology, hydrology, management history, and connectivity across the local landscape.

We take a baseline for each Habitat Bank using the statutory biodiversity metric. We carefully select the best possible habitats for us to establish so we can deliver and demonstrate measurable biodiversity gains over time.

Neighbouring LPAs
Buckinghamshire Council
North Northamptonshire Council
Central Bedfordshire Council
West Northamptonshire Council
Bedford Borough Council

Neighbouring NCAs
Upper Thames Clay Vales
Rockingham Forest
East Anglian Chalk
Northamptonshire Vales
Cotswolds
The Fens
Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge
Kesteven Uplands
Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge
Chilterns

Our vision

Emberton Habitat Bank was established in 2022 and, over the course of the next three decades, we will convert degraded arable land into stunning fields of neutral grassland supporting a diverse array of species.

Across the southwestern corner of the site, we are establishing an area of lowland meadow, full of wildflowers to support pollinating insects. We are also planting a series of native hedgerows and a belt of woody scrub with open glades to increase the structural diversity across the site.

Over time we anticipate a dramatic increase in soil health and structure. This will help to rebuild local ecosystem services – improving the land’s water retention, sequestering carbon, and improving water and air quality.

With public footpaths located along the northern boundary, the local community will benefit from access to increased biodiversity close to their homes.