Biodiversity Net Gain

Bishops Nympton, Devon

Mornacott Estate is being transformed from a landscape shaped by intensive agriculture and game management into a nature-led, biodiverse ecosystem. Its rolling pasture, arable fields, woodland, and steeper grazing land reflect a long history of farming and sporting use—creating significant opportunity for ecological restoration and recovery.

Our vision is to restore the Estate to a biodiversity-rich landscape, where wildlife is the primary driver. At its core is the recovery of culm grassland, a rare and valuable habitat, integrated within a wider mosaic of woodland, wetlands, and scrub. Fields will naturally evolve through scrub development—hawthorn, blackthorn, bramble, and willow—creating a structurally diverse and dynamic landscape.

Over time, the Estate will transition towards extensive wood pasture, supported by natural regeneration and the expansion of existing woodland. Grazing animals, including Devon Red cattle, Exmoor ponies, and Tamworth pigs, will play a central role—acting as proxies for lost native species and shaping habitats through natural processes.

Water is also a key focus. Riparian corridors are being restored, and new ponds created within wetter areas, supporting wetland birds, insects, and aquatic life—bringing life back to the Estate’s water systems.

Shropham, Norfolk

Manor Farm is being transformed from a traditionally farmed estate into a dynamic, nature-led landscape delivering high-integrity biodiversity gain. Shaped by years of intensive agriculture, the land is now being restored to create a diverse mosaic of habitats where natural processes drive long-term ecological recovery.

Our approach centres on the creation of species-rich grassland, scrub, and wetland habitats, allowing fields to evolve through natural regeneration. Hawthorn, blackthorn, bramble, and willow are establishing across the landscape, creating a multi-layered habitat structure that supports a wide range of species. Over time, this will transition into extensive wood pasture, with native trees such as oak, aspen, and hornbeam regenerating and expanding existing woodland across the Estate.

Water is a defining feature of Manor Farm. We are restoring the River Thet and its tributaries, reconnecting them to their floodplain, enhancing riparian corridors, and creating new ponds within wetter areas. These interventions will improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and provide vital habitat for wetland birds, insects, and aquatic life.

Grazing animals play a central role in shaping this evolving landscape. Low-density, conservation-led grazing using cattle, ponies, and pigs will mimic natural processes, creating a shifting mosaic of habitats that increase biodiversity over time.

Through this integrated approach, Manor Farm is becoming a living example of how regenerative land management and Biodiversity Net Gain can work together—delivering measurable ecological uplift while restoring a resilient, nature-rich landscape.

Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

Siblyback Estate is being restored in harmony with the wild, elemental character of Bodmin Moor—enhancing its landscape while strengthening its ecological value. Shaped by granite, high rainfall, and open moorland, this is a place defined by its distinctive mosaic of heath, grassland, and wetland habitats.

Our vision is to work with these natural conditions to create a more diverse, connected, and resilient landscape, rooted in the habitats that already define the moor. Through the restoration of scrub, heathland, and species-rich grassland, the Estate will evolve into a dynamic habitat mosaic, supporting the recovery of characteristic moorland species while maintaining its open, expansive character.

At the heart of the project lies Siblyback Moor County Wildlife Site, where priority habitats including upland heath, acid grassland, and purple moor grass and rush pastures are being restored and expanded. By reducing bracken encroachment and reversing past agricultural pressures, these rare habitats will recover in both extent and condition.

Water and natural processes play a central role. Riparian restoration, pond creation, and woodland management will enhance headwater streams and wetlands, improving water quality and strengthening ecological connectivity across the landscape.

Through low-intensity grazing and natural regeneration, Siblyback will become a richer, more resilient moorland ecosystem—preserving the character of Bodmin Moor while delivering meaningful, long-term biodiversity recovery.