Belper Habitat Bank: Biodiversity Net Gain in Amber Valley, Derbyshire
Belper Habitat Bank is a 13-hectare Biodiversity Net Gain scheme located near Belper, Derbyshire.
Situated within the Amber Valley Local Planning Authority and the Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent National Character Area, the site transitions former arable land into a diverse, connected habitat mosaic secured for 30 years.
This project demonstrates how peri-urban land can deliver measurable biodiversity gains while remaining accessible to the local community.
What Has Been Delivered?
The scheme establishes:
Approximately 10 hectares of mixed scrub
Species-rich neutral grassland
A traditional orchard with 99 locally appropriate fruit trees
Three new species-rich hedgerows
Retention of 0.63km of existing hedgerow
Ongoing management of ditches and 11 mature rural trees
Mixed scrub is created through a combination of whip planting and broadcast shrub seed, ensuring naturalistic structure and age-class diversity.
Grassland enhancement follows nutrient stripping and overseeding to maximise species diversity.
Design Informed by Constraints
The site integrates:
Underground water infrastructure
High-voltage power lines
Adjacent residential context
Public Rights of Way
These real-world constraints have been embedded into the layout, ensuring safe, deliverable habitat creation.
Governance and Stewardship
Belper is secured under a Conservation Covenant with @RSK Biocensus and we deliver:
Habitat implementation
Monitoring and reporting
Adaptive management
30-year stewardship
This ensures compliance and ecological performance over the long term.
Supporting BNG Delivery Across Derbyshire
Belper provides biodiversity units to support development across:
Primary LPA: Amber Valley
NCA: Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent
Neighbouring LPAs include Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, Ashfield, Broxtowe, Erewash, Derby and South Derbyshire.
For developers and housebuilders seeking high and medium distinctiveness grassland and scrub units in Derbyshire, Belper offers a strategically located, governance-secured solution.
Field Works – your BNG site implementation and stewardship partner.
