Harrogate Habitat Bank
- County
- North Yorkshire
- Local planning authority (LPA)
- North Yorkshire Council
- National Character Area (NCA)
- Pennine Dales Fringe
- Biodiversity gain sites register number
- BGS-140225001
Biodiversity Units
Very high distinctiveness habitats
- Lowland meadows
High distinctiveness habitats
- Ponds (priority habitat)
- Lowland mixed deciduous woodland
Medium distinctiveness habitats
- Rural tree
- Mixed scrub
- Other neutral grassland
- Species-rich native hedgerow
- Other woodland; broadleaved
Low distinctiveness habitats
- Native hedgerow
Ready to purchase now, subject to availability.
Habitat Bank overview
This 32-hectare Habitat Bank located between Harrogate and Otley is part of our expanding national network.
Here we are working to connect the existing farmland with local ancient woodland to maximise local environmental benefits – transforming a mixture of permanent pasture and silage fields into a perfectly blended landscape of thriving habitats and sustainable agriculture.
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.
Coverage
Biodiversity Units from Harrogate Habitat Bank offer an effective local off-site BNG solution for the North Yorkshire Council LPA area and the Pennine Dales Fringe NCA. They also provide adjacent coverage to the LPAs and NCAs listed below.
| Adjacent LPAs | Adjacent NCAs |
|---|---|
| Leeds City Council | Tees Lowlands |
| City of York Council | Yorkshire Dales |
| Lancaster City Council | North Pennines |
| Durham County Council | Vale of Mowbray |
| Pendle Borough Council | Southern Pennines |
| City of Doncaster Council | Southern Magnesian Limestone |
| Darlington Borough Council | Durham Coalfield Pennine Fringe |
| Yorkshire Dales National Park | Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire & Yorkshire Coalfield |
| Ribble Valley Borough Council | |
| North York Moors National Park | |
| East Riding of Yorkshire Council | |
| Middlesborough Borough Council | |
| Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council | |
| Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council | |
| Bradford Metropolitan District Council | |
| Wakefield Metropolitan District Council |
Our vision
The Harrogate Habitat Bank will be fully established over the next 15 years leading to a more functional and resilient natural landscape – one capable of supporting richer and more abundant biodiversity.
We’re establishing scrub and woodland habitats using natural regeneration to create a buffer along the adjacent river and woodland corridor. This is supporting local ecological targets and adding resilience to the neighbouring ancient woodland and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
We’re also creating new species-rich hedgerows and enhancing existing ones to connect the Habitat Bank to the surrounding landscape, providing features for foraging and commuting wildlife like bats and barn owls.
By installing ponds, strategically placed to curb the flow of surface water, we aim to reduce soil erosion and slow the flow of water across the local landscape to alleviate flooding in the local village.
The Harrogate Habitat Bank will help support curlew, a species that seen significant national decline due to intensive farming practices. Returning the landscape to hay meadows with scattered scrapes will really help this species, alongside other wading birds.
The landowners are keen to gain accreditation for school visits for young people studying nature. They hope to work with students to track the habitat management plan and monitor the wildlife growing in abundance.
Buy BNG Units
Find out the cost and availability of Biodiversity Units from Harrogate Habitat Bank.
