Submit a site for Biodiversity Net Gain or Habitat Site Restoration

All the Local Planning Authorities across Cumbria are looking for sites within the county that could be used to create Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitats.

Examples of what Biodiversity Net Gain on a site could look like include:

• the creation of new woodland, wood pasture and hay meadows
• changes in management to improve species rich grasslands or hedgerows

Managing BNG sites

BNG sites must be retained in that use for a period of 30 years. Managing a site for Biodiversity Net Gain could therefore become an additional income stream for landowners, with the change in land use and future maintenance funded by Biodiversity Net Gain unit sales alongside other activity such as agriculture.

Habitat Site Restoration sites

There are four protected Habitat Sites within Cumbria that are in an unfavourable condition due to phosphorous pollution. We are seeking sites within their catchment areas where projects could be delivered to reduce the amount of phosphorous entering the site. This will aid the restoration of the Habitat Site.

• Esthwaite Water Ramsar
• River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake Special Conservation Area
• River Eden Special Conservation Area
• River Kent Special Conservation Area

Potential partnerships

While there is no national or local nutrient credit scheme available to deliver restoration following the government announcement on 30 August 2023, suitable sites could potentially be included within future restoration plans and strategies. The partnership will work together to identify funding opportunities to deliver appropriate projects.

Lake District National Park Authority

The Lake District National Park Authority is coordinating this exercise on behalf of all the Cumbrian Local Planning Authorities. The expressions of interest can relate to land throughout the county.