Holm Mead - South Gloucestershire
BNG MITIGATION SITE
Bounded by the River Avon and River Boyd, within South Gloucestershire LPA and the Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges NCA, the site approaches 90 acres and is located only a few miles from the outskirts of both Bristol and Bath.
The land is included within the West of England Local Nature Recovery Strategy, being targeted for the biodiversity improvements planned on site.
This makes the site uniquely suited as the optimal location to offset development in both cities, ensuring that mitigation remains as close as possible to the areas of impact—which is, after all, the main objective.
Historically, a classic water meadow, and adjoining existing priority habitats, the land was used in arable rotation in the latter part of the 20th century, before being seeded with fodder grasses for haymaking.
Our plans are to restore the original Lowland Meadow habitat and bring into management an area of Flood Plain Wetland Mosaic habitat in parts of the site most affected by seasonal flooding.
Our plans include:
Planting bespoke wildflower and herb seed mixes to enrich grassland biodiversity,
Planting of suitable plant species to reflect and reinstate the natural flora of the floodplain.
Holme Mead is a prime example of our commitment to large-scale biodiversity. Restoration, in a location already identified in the Local Nature Recovery Strategy as desirable for our proposed habitats.
Wildlife Benefits
The land is within 2km of seven existing Designated Wildlife sites, including two SSSi’s and it is hoped and expected that biodiversity improvements here will support the wider area. The planned floodplain and meadow habitats are expected to have a direct and positive impact on a number of protected species including:
Horseshoe Bats,
Grass Snakes and Slow Worms,
Kingfishers and Owls,
Otters.
Bi-annual surveys will be undertaken to track how the biodiversity improvements on site lead to increased wildlife activity and any new or rare species on site. We are also already working with the University of the West of England who are carrying out an ongoing survey of species onsite including beavers.
Wider Community Benefits
The well used River Avon footpath runs along the South side of the site and new education boards will be installed along this stretch of the river. These will detail out our planned improvements to both habitats and wildlife, encouraging the public to engage and record any sightings they see.
The purchasers of our BNG units will be supplied with the records of how the site develops over time with reports and video footage, for them to use for their own internal or marketing purposes. We will also encourage their clients to come along and experience the improvements for themselves and to see how the investment in biodiversity has improved the ecology of the area.
Local schools will be offered the opportunity to visit the site and have an educational tour, led by one of our ecologists.
It is hoped that this will create a local community of supporters and improve the understanding of the importance of biodiversity and its impact.
Availability
Units are available as detailed below:
Lowland Meadow Very High Distinctiveness
Floodplain Wet Mosaic High Distinctiveness
Other Neutral Grassland Medium Distinctiveness
For further information please contact:
