The Government are looking to protect 30% of the UK’s land by 2030. A new agreement for a site in Devon is bringing them one step closer.
Today (25th March 2025) Environment Bank revealed they have signed a section 106 agreement with local authorities to help restore their Puddington Habitat Bank in Devon – one of the first habitat banks that was created in the Southern county.
To give context, section 106 agreements are planning obligations formed between local authorities and developers. They can be used, like in this case, to bind the use of the land to biodiversity gains delivery for 30 years.
The news of the agreement came following a visit to the site from members of the Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council who claimed the area could act as a blueprint for new land management solutions and income diversification options for local farmers.
Currently situated at the top of the watershed of the Taw and the Exe, Puddington Habitat Bank is comprised of 25 acres of farmland which sits on heavy clay. The restoration work is set to focus on enabling the land to naturally clean and filter water and protect soil from eroding by creating grasslands with diverse root structures.
The news arguably couldn’t have come at a better time. The landscape has long faced difficulties with intensive arable farming. For example, the area has experienced an increase of 15% in annual precipitation since the 1960s, making arable farming more susceptible to run-off issues than before. Increasing wet weather conditions have likewise led to topsoil degradation.
Topsoil degradation refers to the decline in the quality of the top layer of soil which can result in reduced crop yields, increased pollution and desertification.
In a bid to stop this from happening farmers are using native cattle, otherwise known as the Red Devon, to manage their ecosystems. Their dung, trampling and grazing is stimulating the soil and encouraging wildflower populations to thrive.
Picture of the Red Devon cow.
‘It is exciting that Puddington Habitat Bank is now to be secured under a section 106,’ Mike Waller, Senior Ecologist at Environment Bank said. ‘This means that there is a long term commitment to ensuring that biodiversity gains will be made, and this will have a transformative impact on the local area, rivers and native species. The effects of biodiversity and nature restoration have far reaching benefits, and this project serves as a great blueprint for other sites and farms in Devon and the wider regions.
‘What this demonstrates is that BNG not only contributes to national biodiversity objectives but also offers landowners a way to diversify their income streams, enhance their natural landscapes, and build business resilience for their farms.’
Toby Diggens and Bella Lowes, local farmers partnering with Environment Bank added: ‘In the time since we began the restoration journey with Environment Bank, we have seen some amazing results. The grasslands are recovering, species such as snipe and woodcock, reed bunting and short eared owl have been seen using the landscape, and we have a useful late summer grazing parcel to keep our cows out for longer and drive down our farming overheads.
‘In time, the Habitat Bank should develop into something super special, especially given that the area is famous for its Culm grassland and iconic species, such as the marsh fritillary butterfly, which we hope to see return one day.’
Images supplied via the Environment Bank
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