Wigmore Habitat Bank
- County
- Herefordshire
- Local planning authority (LPA)
- Herefordshire Council
- National Character Area (NCA)
- Clun and North West Herefordshire Hills
Biodiversity Units available:
Very high distinctiveness habitats
- Lowland meadows
High distinctiveness habitats
- Species-rich native hedgerow with trees
Medium distinctiveness habitats
- Mixed scrub
- Other neutral grassland
- Species-rich native hedgerow
- Other woodland; broadleaved
Habitat Bank overview
Sat adjacent to areas of irreplaceable ancient woodland, our Wigmore Habitat Bank covers more than 150 acres.
Our work to restore and enhance habitats here will not only support the ancient woodland but also see the existing pasture and arable fields fully transformed into a diverse mosaic of native hedgerows, woodland, scrubland, and wildflower grassland.
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 Herefordshire Council LPA and the Clun and North West Herefordshire Hills NCA.
Coverage
| Adjacent LPAs | Adjacent NCAs |
|---|---|
| Shropshire Council | Shropshire Hills |
| Malvern Hills District Council | Herefordshire Lowlands |
| Forest of Dean District Council |
Our vision
Our Wigmore Habitat Bank lies in the village of Richard’s Castle on the Herefordshire border just south of Mortimer Forest, a thousand-hectare forest notable for its fallow deer, birds, bats, reptiles, great crested newts, and butterflies– with multiple designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) found throughout the forest.
The habitats we’re restoring have been carefully selected by our ecologists to help support biodiversity in Mortimer Forest and the surrounding area more broadly.
Before our work began, the land was being used to farm sheep and cattle. We’ve incorporated grazing into our management plans for the new habitats to support the existing farm business and reflect sustainable farming practices used historically.
Buy BNG Units
Find out the cost and availability of Biodiversity Units from Wigmore Habitat Bank.
