Our Kilby Habitat Bank lies within the rural southern outskirts of Leicester, around 12 km northwest of Market Harborough. The site lies across 16 hectares of pasture fields, hedgerows, and trees – and we're transforming this space into an incredible Habitat Bank.

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 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 Blaby District Council LPA area or Leicestershire Vales NCA. Our Units are ready to purchase now, subject to availability.

We are creating a beautiful area of wildflower grassland and floodplain meadow, revitalising the quality of the soil by reducing phosphorus levels to increase wildflower diversity across the grassland.

The grasslands will be managed as traditional hay meadows to benefit a diverse range of wildlife – with a series of shallow ponds and scrapes incorporated for amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, and wading birds by making use of naturally damp hollows. 

With a meandering river providing a natural boundary to the site’s northern edge, and the site’s location close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Kilby Habitat Bank is strategically situated to compliment and provide functional links to important habitats in the surrounding area - improving connectivity across the landscape.