We have read on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust website that The Keyhaven Natural Capital Scheme is being delivered on the 605-acre Aubrey Farm in Keyhaven by Kingwell (Aubrey) Ltd.
Once established, the land is to be turned over from farming to nature, to create a 1,000-acre ‘Nature Reserve’ that connects a site of special scientific interest, a ramsar wetlands site, and special conservation areas to the west of the Pennington Marshes.
The scheme aims to deliver the first Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Nitrate Mitigation scheme in the New Forest. It also looks to mitigate water quality impacts from development sites within the New Forest District and National Park areas.
Developers now must ensure wildlife is left in a better state than it was before any development takes place. This requires a 10% improvement or ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’.
With the need for thousands more homes to be built across the UK, The Keyhaven Natural Capital Scheme, has been created to provide 'residential and commercial property developers with nature-based solutions to ensure that there is no nature deficit following their developments'.
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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Units are a standardized way to measure biodiversity value and calculate the impact of development projects on nature.
The BNG Units are tailored to support developers in the housebuilding and construction sector's demand for offset credits towards Net Zero. BNG Units are registered on the national BNG Register.
Audrey Farm offers: 1199 Habitat BNG Units, 57 Hedgerow BNG Units, and 0.5 River BNG Units.
Nitrate Credits are where developers can purchase nitrate credits to offset the nitrogen they release into the environment. One credit is required to mitigate one kilogram of nitrogen.
Audrey Farm offers: 3,987 Nitrate Credits for £3500 per credit.
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If we understand the scheme correctly, it appears that areas of food farming land is to be removed and returned to nature, alongside unfarmed land, to create 'credits' that property developers can buy and use towards Net Zero targets.
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Other plans for Aubrey Farm include: Conversion and development of a former cattle barn to provide storage units, conversion of derelict farm buildings for commercial or leisure use, and in the longer term, wider commercial and residential development opportunities.
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More information relating to The Keyhaven Natural Capital Scheme:
The Keyhaven Natural Capital Scheme
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Kingwell (Aubrey) Ltd
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