Biodiversity Net Gain
THE BAULKS, COPLOE HILL
The Site
Located to the south of Cambridge, this 25 hectare
scheme is strategically located adjacent to existing sites
of ecological significance to provide an opportunity for
wildlife to thrive over a large-scale whilst vastly reducing
the detrimental impact of habitat fragmentation.
A swathe of preserved Medieval cultivation terraces,
Coploe Hill Strip Lynchets, will be central to the scheme
which is designed to buffer and extend this valuable
nature corridor on all sides. Additionally, the creation
of new wildlife habitat adjacent to a Local Wildlife Site
(LWS) will provide vital space and a stepping-stone for
its distinctive chalkland species.
Baseline survey work is being undertaken on a further
12 hectares of adjacent land to bring about an overall
scheme of 37 hectares
Biodiversity units available: 234
Local Planning Authorities: South Cambridgeshire, Uttlesford
National Character Area: East Anglian Chalk
The Vision
Connection
Our vision is about building resilience for the future and helping to facilitate the positive impact that can be secured for future generations through Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Our plan incorporates both habitat creation and enhancement
focused around two sites of historical and ecological significance.
Enhancement
The scheme builds upon wildlife enhancements already undertaken to create new habitat areas at Coploe Hill which have resulted in increased numbers of species such as corn bunting, grey partridge, linnet, yellowhammer and brown hare. BNG units are available for the enhancement of grassland located between the eastern edge of the Strip Lynchets and Coploe Hill Pit LWS.
Creation
A major focus of the scheme will be on the creation of neutral grassland along the western flanks of the Strip Lynchets. Set on a ridge at the very end of the Chilterns, the thin chalk soils are intrinsically suited to grassland creation to support the wildflowers, birds and insects typical of this rolling landscape.
A detailed management and monitoring plan will ensure the required
methodologies are implemented for both the enhancement and creation aspects of the scheme.
The Wider Context
Coploe Hill forms part of Rectory Farm, owned by the Wombwell family
since 1926. The family ethos is steeped in the appreciation of the symbiotic relationship between the farmed and the natural environment, and their BNG scheme forms part of a wider strategy for nature recovery.
Rectory Farm has participated in environmental schemes over several decadeswith comprehensive measures in place to provide space for nature to co-exist within the agricultural landscape. This patchwork of areas already givenover to nature will feed into the wider benefit of this scheme, allowing species to spread out across the farm and expand their range as the BNG habitats become established.
The marginal areas of Coploe Hill have already undergone a ten-year
programme of grassland creation adjacent to Coploe Pit LWS coupled with scrub clearance on the Strip Lynchets to prevent root damage to the historic terraces.
Your Biodiversity
Net Gain Partner
Our habitat creation and enhancement scheme will be closely monitored to achieve the desired outcomes. With expertise in quality habitat creation and with its own herd of native breed cattle for conservation grazing management, the Rectory Farm management team is well placed to provide successful ecological outcomes.
With a clear strategy in place for achieving BNG, Coploe Hill can provide a long-term, secure space for your biodiversity offset requirements.Coploe Hill will generate biodiversity units for:
• Lowland calcareous grassland
• Neutral grassland
• Native hedgerow
