Minting Habitat Bank

County: Lincolnshire
Local planning authority (LPA): East Lindsey District Council
National Character Area (NCA): Central Lincolnshire Vale
Biodiversity gain sites register number: BGS-040924001

Birds-eye render of Minting Habitat Bank before restoration

Biodiversity Units available:

High distinctiveness habitats

Ponds (priority habitat)

Medium distinctiveness habitats

Mixed scrub
Other neutral grassland
Other woodland; broadleaved

Buy Biodiversity Units

Habitat Bank overview

Situated between Stixwould and Wragby, our Minting Habitat Bank covers nearly 20 hectares of land. We’re transforming the existing landscape into a beautiful mosaic of scrub and grassland rich in native flora and fauna.

We’re building ponds in naturally wetter areas of the site and establishing new woodland to connect the site with ancient woodland nearby. The adjacent woodland has records of nightingale which is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, making it a key species for conservation.

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 East Lindsey District Council LPA and the Central Lincolnshire Vale NCA.

Coverage

Adjacent LPAs	Adjacent NCAs
Boston Borough Council	The Fens
West Lindsey District Council	Humber Estuary
North East Lincolnshire Council	Lincolnshire Wolds
North Kesteven District Council	Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes
	Northern Lincolnshire Edge with Coversands

Our vision

Our Minting Habitat Bank is strategically located near to an area of broadleaved woodland identified as a priority habitat within the habitat network zone. By enhancing this land, we’re increasing connectivity to vital ancient woodland nearby. This includes Bardney Limewoods – a National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and Britain’s greatest concentration of small-leaved lime woodland.

Throughout the new woodland and scrubland we are helping to develop both a canopy and an understory rich in a variety of species, encouraging natural vegetation and deadwood, and protecting the woodland from grounding pressures. Creating suitable habitats at the Minting Habitat Bank is essential for the recovery of nightingale in the area. This has included introducing dense vegetation and allowing the existing hedgerow to grow out naturally.

By increasing biodiversity at the site and enhancing the quality of the soil, we are improving the landscape’s ability to drain surface water – which was previously prone to flooding during extreme rainfall. We’re not only creating new habitats but also enhancing the existing hedgerows to flourish.