Chippenham Habitat Bank

County: Wiltshire
Local planning authority (LPA): Wiltshire Council
National Character Area (NCA): Avon Vales
Biodiversity gain sites register number: BGS-060225001

Birds-eye render of Chippenham Habitat Bank before restoration

Biodiversity Units available:

Very high distinctiveness habitats

Lowland meadows
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees – associated with bank or ditch

High distinctiveness habitats

Ponds (priority habitat)
Other rivers and streams
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees

Medium distinctiveness habitats

Ditches
Mixed scrub
Other neutral grassland
Other woodland; broadleaved

Low distinctiveness habitats

Culvert
Modified grassland

Buy Biodiversity Units

Habitat Bank overview

Our Chippenham Habitat Bank is ideally situated for us to connect vital local landscapes located within Lyneham Strategic Nature Area.

We’re transforming the previously arable land along the Cade Burna River corridor into a beautiful, biodiverse space teeming with native flora and fauna.

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.

Biodiversity Units from this Habitat Bank are ready to purchase now, subject to availability. Provided alongside expert planning support, these Biodiversity Units offer an effective local off-site BNG solution for the Wiltshire Council LPA and the Avon Vales NCA.

Coverage

Adjacent LPAs	Adjacent NCAs
Dorset Council	Cotswolds
Somerset Council	Mendip Hills
Mendip District Council	Upper Thames Clay Vales
Cotswold District Council	Berkshire and Marlborough Downs
New Forest National Park	Blackmore Vale and Vale of Wardour
Swindon Borough Council	Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs
New Forest District Council
Test Valley Borough Council
South Gloucestershire Council
Vale of White Horse District Council
Bath and North East Somerset Council

Our vision

The Chippenham Habitat Bank covers a vast expanse of nearly 70 hectares. The site lies just to the south of nine Local Wildlife Sites, consisting of a variety of meadow and woodland habitats.

As part of the project, we are transforming a series arable fields and isolated woodlands into a diverse mosaic of wildflower grassland, native mixed scrub, woodland, ponds, and wetland habitats. These habitats will provide a myriad of opportunities for increasing abundance and expanding populations of local species.

There is a public bridleway which crosses the Chippenham Habitat Bank. This will enable visitors from the local community to watch as the space transforms over the years. We’re truly thrilled that they will be able to experience such a biodiverse green space thrive before their very eyes.