Wymondham Habitat Bank, Norfolk

Local planning authority (LPA): South Norfolk District Council

National Character Area (NCA): South Norfolk and High Suffolk Claylands

Biodiversity Units available:

Very high distinctiveness habitats

Lowland meadows

High distinctiveness habitats

Traditional orchard

Medium distinctiveness habitats

Mixed scrub
Other neutral grassland
Ponds (non-priority habitat)
Other woodland; broadleaved

Our Wymondham Habitat Bank is well placed to connect local landscapes in the Norfolk Valley Fens near Norwich. Since autumn 2024, we’ve been transforming more than 22 hectares of low-yielding cropland fields into a range of diverse habitat types.

There, we hope to create a home for a range of protected species, including birds like green woodpeckers and yellowhammers, bats like soprano pipistrelles, invertebrates like heath butterflies and yellow-faced bees, amphibians like great crested newts and common toads, and wetland plants like Norfolk-rare common valerian.

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 South Norfolk District Council LPA area or South Norfolk and High Suffolk Claylands NCA. Our Units are ready to purchase now, subject to availability.

Adjacent LPAs for cross-boundary coverage:

East Suffolk Council
The Broads Authority
Norwich City Council
Breckland District Council
Broadlands District Council
Mid Suffolk District Council

Adjacent NCAs for cross-boundary coverage:

The Brecks
The Broads
Mid Norfolk
Suffolk Coast and Heaths
South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland

The Habitat Bank sits along a strategic Green Infrastructure (GI) corridor and is placed between two local Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) - Flordon Common and Lower Wood, Ashwellthorpe. These sites are designated in particular for their open fen meadows, wetland communities, and ancient woodlands.

Natural England has mapped the site as within a Network Enhancement Zone designated river corridor and lowland meadow – so our new meadow habitat will contribute towards these local nature strategies.

Species living at the nearby Flordon Common include the rare narrow-mouthed whorl snail and yellow iris. Our Habitat Bank offers an opportunity to connect adjacent priority habitats and create a space where species like these can grow in abundance.

A public footpath runs parallel to the south of the site, so people from the local community will be able to enjoy the increased biodiversity as the Habitat Bank develops.