Buckhurst Farm BNG offset site

Site description

The eastern boundary of the site runs along Hammer Stream, an important wildlife corridor that is part of the Medway & Low Weald Grassland & Wetland Biodiversity Opportunity Area (BOA). The most significant features of the BOA are the courses, tributaries and floodplains of the area, which support species rich meadows or floodplain grassland and ponds, areas of mature ancient woodland, and fen. It contains important refuges for declining river species such as otter, depressed river mussel, white clawed crayfish and river lamprey.

Key targets for the BOA include to create wider river flood plains and riverside corridors, creating new wet woodland habitat, taking action to protect and restore otter populations.

Presently, Buckhurst Farm is a modified grassland, which has fertiliser applied to encourage grass growth, and is grazed right up to the bank of the stream. There is a lot of opportunity to restore this land to improve water quality in the Hamer Stream and provide better habitats for key species to achieve the BOA targets.

The creation of wet woodland along the stream, will extend up to 70 m from its banks. Wet woodland is woodland that is allowed to flood regularly and often contains pools and ponds. It is home to moisture-loving trees such as willow and alder, with a ground cover of wildflowers such as the headily fragranced meadowsweet, marsh marigold, water mint, and common valerian. The ponds and pools in wet woodlands are a haven for many invertebrates including dragonflies and damselflies, many of which provide food for birds such as spotted flycatchers, grey wagtails, and hobbies, as well as for fish, which can further provide food for kingfishers and otters.

Ponds and mixed scrub will be created along the woodland edge, this will aim to encourage amphibians to the site.

On the western drier part of the site, a transition to lowland meadow, will allow a greater diversity of plants and invertebrates to colonise the site. This will also provide important woodland edge habitat which is favoured by many birds and reptiles.

In addition, existing hedgerows will be enhanced to become species-rich, and additional hedgerows will be established to join them up, providing continuous corridors of habitat for wildlife.

Fill out a form at the bottom of this page or email your development's BNG metric to bngenquiries@adonisblue.org.uk for a free BNG consultation.

These units are valid for a maximum of two years, provided site conditions do not significantly change.  If more than two years have lapsed between the site survey and habitat works being undertaken, an updated survey will be necessary to ensure recommendations remain valid.

Habitat Transitions