Habitat Bank Creation - Biggleswade
Supporting UK Power Networks to deliver a habitat bank at Biggleswade Substation
Ecology by Design supported UK Power Networks (UKPN) in the creation of a fully compliant and strategically designed Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitat bank at their new Biggleswade Substation site. This project enables UKPN to deliver future developments more efficiently by drawing on surplus biodiversity units generated on their own land.
Background
UKPN secured planning permission for the creation of a new 400/132/33/11kV substation on land north of Dunton Road, Biggleswade (permission ref. CB/21/05161/FULL). A key planning condition required the preparation of a habitat credit banking scheme, allowing any surplus biodiversity units generated by the project to be allocated to future UKPN developments within Central Bedfordshire, applying an appropriate Spatial Risk Multiplier under additional legal agreements if outside this area.
Ecology by Design was commissioned to produce the Biodiversity Management and Monitoring Plan (BMMP) to meet this condition and support the wider habitat bank mechanism.
The associated Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA) identified that the project would deliver an exceptional uplift of:
- +181.72% habitat units
- +36.40% hedgerow units
These represent a gain of +96.19 habitat units and +6.20 hedgerow units above baseline. UKPN intends to utilise all biodiversity gains above 20% as banked units to offset future ecological impacts from their operational projects.
Our role and approach
Ecology by Design delivered a comprehensive package of BNG services, enabling UKPN to convert a single infrastructure project into a long-term ecological asset.
Updating the BIA and mechanism to support a habitat bank
Because a non-material amendment was sought relating to the landscaping scheme, we updated both the Biodiversity Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Credit Bank Mechanism (BCBM) document to ensure consistency in the unit calculations and legal mechanism.
These updates underpin the habitat bank by providing defensible unit calculations and a clear governance model for how credits can be allocated.
Preparing a detailed 30-year Biodiversity Management & Monitoring Plan (BMMP)
The BMMP provides the essential delivery framework for the habitat bank and ensures that biodiversity gains will be achieved, evidenced, and maintained over 30 years.
Key elements include:
- Target conditions for all created and enhanced habitats (grassland, scrub, woodland, ponds, hedgerows, and trees)
- Timeframes for condition achievement (ranging from 2–27 years depending on habitat type)
- Monitoring protocols, specifying annual monitoring by a qualified ecologist
- Remedial measures to ensure habitats remain on track
- Alignment with the site’s Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP)
- Clear responsibilities for UKPN, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Ecology by Design as the default monitoring ecologist
The plan also clarifies which habitats are covered under the habitat bank and which are retained habitats managed outside the credit mechanism.
Designing habitat creation to maximise unit generation
The high unit yield was achieved through carefully designed habitat creation and enhancement, including:
- 14.58ha of species-rich neutral grassland
- 1.49ha broadleaved woodland
- 1.38ha mixed scrub
- 0.07ha priority habitat ponds (five ponds)
- 0.52km of new species-rich hedgerow
- Enhancement of 1.05km of existing hedgerow network
- 55 new rural trees
Each habitat type includes bespoke establishment methods, species mixes, and long-term management prescriptions drawn from the BMMP.
This ecological design ensures that habitat uplift is meaningful, measurable, and resilient over the 30-year period.
Ensuring compliance and enforceability through a clear legal mechanism
The habitat bank is underpinned by a legal mechanism (set out in the BCBM) that:
- Defines roles for UKPN, the Local Planning Authority and Ecology by Design
- Establishes governance for distributing banked units
- Provides monitoring and reporting procedures
- Ensures gains are legally secured for the full 30-year term
This ensures that the habitat bank is compliant with the planning condition and with BNG best practice.
Outcomes and Benefits for UKPN
- A fully compliant habitat bank: The Biggleswade Substation is now a legally secure habitat bank capable of supplying UKPN with biodiversity units for future developments.
- Streamlined delivery of UKPN projects: Future UKPN schemes within Central Bedfordshire and beyond can draw on banked units, reducing delays and costs associated with securing off-site BNG provision.
- Exceptional biodiversity enhancement: The project delivers more than 180% net gain in habitat units, far exceeding the statutory requirement and supporting ecological restoration at a large scale.
- Long-term assurance through a robust monitoring framework: Annual monitoring for 30 years ensures habitats continue to perform and provides evidence for regulators.
- A model for infrastructure providers: This approach demonstrates how utility companies can strategically manage their estate to meet BNG obligations efficiently and responsibly.
Ecology by Design’s support enabled UKPN to transform the Biggleswade Substation project into a long-term ecological asset. Through the creation of a habitat bank, UKPN can now deliver future projects more efficiently while contributing significantly to nature recovery.
For further information contact:
Laura Grant BSc (Hons) MCIEEM
Associate Director, Ecology by Design Ltd
Tel: 01865 893348
Mob: 07495 00213
