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Newton Harcourt Habitat Bank, Leicestershire

Local planning authority (LPA): Harborough District Council

National Character Area (NCA): Leicestershire Vales

Biodiversity Units available:

Very high distinctiveness habitats 
  • Lowland meadows
High distinctiveness habitats
  • Ponds (priority habitat) 
Medium distinctiveness habitats 
  • Mixed scrub
  • Other neutral grassland

Our Newton Harcourt Habitat Bank lies across more than 30 hectares of traditional rural estate situated just southeast of the town of Wigston, adjacent to the Kilby Foxton Cancel Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). With two public rights of way adjoining the site, the local community will be able to enjoy this incredible Habitat bank as it continues to develop across the coming decades.

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


Adjacent LPAs for cross-boundary coverage:

  • Blaby District Council
  • Leicester City Council
  • Corby Borough Council
  • Rugby Borough Council
  • Rutland County Council
  • Melton Borough Council
  • Charnwood Borough Council
  • West Northamptonshire Council
  • North Northamptonshire Council
  • Oadby and Wigston District Council

Adjacent NCAs for cross-boundary coverage:

  • Arden
  • Charnwood
  • High Leicestershire
  • Dunsmore and Feldon
  • Mease/Sence Lowlands
  • Trent Valley Washlands
  • Northamptonshire Vales
  • Northamptonshire Uplands
  • Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield

Across the Newton Harcourt Habitat Bank’s sloping fields runs the River Sence and, within the fields, you can observe archeologically significant ridge and furrow. We’re working to enhance these landscapes and build vital connections between local habitats and the adjacent SSSI.

We’re excited to be developing a beautiful grassland rich in a diverse array of species, aiming to support a variety of nesting birds. We’re equally keen to continue developing ponds that we’ve been creating towards the south of the Habitat Bank, and we’re delighted to watch the broadleaved trees we’ve been planting continue to grow over the coming decades.

Find out the cost and availability of Biodiversity Units from our Newton Habitat Bank