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Habitat Banks

Habitat Banks are offsite Biodiversity Gain Sites that are set up on land to increase its biodiversity value, creating 'biodiversity units' that can then be sold to developers. The developer can use the biodiversity units to achieve their mandatory minimum 10% BNG.  

The land must be secured either through a conservation covenant, or S106 agreement, so that it can be registered on the national biodiversity gain sites register prior to any biodiversity units being sold. 

 

Habitat Bank Regulation

Dover District Council has legal agreements with the Habitat Banks listed below.  

However, it's an open market and other options may be available.  

You can contact us if you are considering establishing a Habitat Bank by emailing biodiversity@dover.gov.uk

 

Available Habitat Banks (Biodiversity Gain Sites)

Dover District Council has legal agreements securing habitat creation / enhancements for 30 years for the following sites, meaning they can sell biodiversity units to developers, and Dover District Council will act as the regulator to ensure that the proposed biodiversity gains are achieved.  

Other sites may be available on the open market, regulated by third parties. 

 

Available Habitat Banks
Site Name   Site description (and habitat types available)    Site Owner or Manager and contact   
Chalksole Habitat Bank 

This site in the Kent Downs National Landscape will connect two SSSI ancient woodlands and contribute to the East Kent Downs Landscape Recovery Project.  Habitat types available:  

  • broadleaved woodland mixed scrub 
  • neutral grassland 
  • lowland meadow 
  • lowland calcareous grassland 
  • individual trees 
  • ponds 
  

Biodiversity and Habitat Solutions Ltd 

info@biodiversityandhabitatsolutions.co.uk 

Chalksole Farm Habitat Bank 

 

National Statutory Credits

The government have created a ‘statutory credits’ scheme. Statutory credits are available to purchase from Natural England as a very last resort option for a planning application, if you are unable to use on-site or off-site biodiversity units to deliver your Biodiversity Net Gain.

Prior to purchasing any statutory credits from Natural England you must contact Dover District Council biodiversity@dover.gov.uk as you will need to provide evidence they are needed to our satisfaction.

Statutory credits purchased must be linked to a specific planning application and are not refundable.

Read further government guidance on Statutory Biodiversity Credits.