Eaton Lane Habitat Bank: Biodiversity Net Gain Delivery in Cheshire’s Weaver Valley
Eaton Lane Habitat Bank is a 30-hectare Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) scheme located in Davenham, Cheshire.
Situated within the Weaver Valley corridor, the project transitions predominantly arable farmland and improved grassland into a connected, resilient ecological landscape secured for 30 years.
This is not simply habitat creation.
It is stewardship-led BNG delivery that balances ecological enhancement with sustainable land management.
What Has Been Delivered?
The scheme establishes and enhances:
Species-rich neutral grassland across most of the site
Buffering and expansion of six woodland blocks, including three ancient woodlands
Strategic elm planting to support white-letter hairstreak butterfly
Enhancement of six existing ponds and creation of a new waterbody
Heathland, scrub and hedgerow habitats
Two traditional orchards for biodiversity and community value
Soil nutrient analysis has informed seed mix selection and habitat prescriptions, ensuring ecological suitability and deliverability.
Species and Ecological Objectives
The design supports:
Bat species including soprano pipistrelle, noctule and Daubenton’s bat
Potential great crested newt populations
Red-listed farmland birds
The endangered white-letter hairstreak
By removing intensive arable production adjacent to the River Weaver, the scheme reduces diffuse nutrient inputs and creates buffer habitats protecting ancient woodland and water quality.
Governance and Long-Term Stewardship
The site is secured via a Section 106 agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council. Monitoring includes:
Annual botanical surveys during establishment
Five-yearly condition assessments
Reporting to the Local Planning Authority
Adaptive management responses
We are providing project management, implementation and long-term stewardship to ensure continuity and performance across the statutory 30-year period.
Supporting BNG Delivery Across Cheshire
Eaton Lane Habitat Bank is strategically positioned to support developments within:
Primary LPA: Cheshire West and Chester
Neighbouring LPAs:
Cheshire East LPA
Halton LPA
Warrington LPA
Shropshire LPA
National Character Area (NCA): 61 Shropshire, Cheshire & Staffordshire Plain
Neighbouring NCAs:
Potteries and Churnet Valley
South West Peak
Needwood and South Derbyshire Claylands
Cannock Chase and Cank Wood
Mid Severn Sandstone Plateau
Shropshire Hills
Wirral
Cheshire Sandstone Ridge
Mersey Valley
Manchester Conurbation
For developers seeking measurable, governance-secured BNG units in the North West, Eaton Lane offers a deliverable and stewardship-led solution.
Field Works – your BNG site implementation and stewardship partner.
