Birds-eye render of Shaw Habitat Bank with habitats restored, including new trees, ponds, and lowland meadows
Birds-eye render of Shaw Habitat Bank before restoration

Biodiversity Units

Very high distinctiveness habitats

  • Lowland meadows

High distinctiveness habitats

  • Ponds (priority habitat)

Medium distinctiveness habitats

  • Other neutral grassland
  • Rural tree
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Habitat Bank overview

Our ecologists have been hard at work transforming an area of grade 4 pony-grazed farmland into a Habitat Bank since spring 2024.

Less than five miles from Oldham, the Habitat Bank sits beside the Crompton Moor Site of Biological Importance (SBI) – providing a valuable opportunity to connect habitats across the area.

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 Shaw Habitat Bank offer an effective local off-site BNG solution for the Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council LPA area and the Southern Pennines NCA. They also provide adjacent coverage to the LPAs and NCAs listed below.
Neighbouring LPAs
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
Rochdale Borough Council
Manchester City Council
Peak District National Park Authority
Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Neighbouring NCAs
Dark Peak
Lancashire Coal Measures
Nottingham, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield
Lancashire Valleys
Pennine Dales Fringe
Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe
Manchester Pennine Fringe
Yorkshire Dales

Our vision

Local priority habitats for the area include ponds, wetlands, and meadows – so the Habitat Bank we’ve been creating will play an essential role in developing these within the area. 

The site is also incredibly well placed to support neighbouring habitats, such as the River Beal which runs nearby. We anticipate a number of species will be able to find suitable habitats here, allowing their numbers to grow in abundance – this includes great crested newts, otters, curlews, barn owls, and more. 

We are supporting the landowner with sustainable land management training so they can play a key role in helping the Habitat Bank to flourish on their land for the next three decades.


Buy BNG Units

Find out the cost and availability of Biodiversity Units from Shaw Habitat Bank. 


Nearest Habitat Banks