Section of Greater Manchester moorland named as 'habitat bank'
Moorland in Greater Manchester has been named as a habitat bank with the aim to conserve existing wildlife and attract new species.
Under the scheme, developers will be able to purchase biodiversity ‘units’ to offset environmental harm from their projects. Environment Bank, has announced a collection Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitat banks secured under conservation covenants so they can be added to the national BNG register.
Horwich habitat bank, set across two sites, is part of eight Environment Bank sites covering 500 acres secured under the covenants. There is now a legal land agreement signed for the new 51 hectare Horwich nature recovery site.
The land, north of Bolton, covers low-yielding farmland and grassland that will be transformed into a nature restoration site. The bank is split 33 and 18 hectares over two parcels of land. It is to the south of the West Pennine Moors, parts of which are notified as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
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Environment Bank is working to enhance and manage the grasslands as species-rich meadows, with ponds and enhanced ditches within the naturally wetter depressions. As the Horwich site develops over the years it is hoped native wildlife will return to the area, such as curlew and great crested newt.
Protected species already residing there will benefit from the habitat improvements, including lapwing, skylark, grasshopper warbler, common toad, and brown hare. Environment Bank has funded a conservation grazing course so that the existing landowner can farm traditional native cattle breeds.
The herd will improve the quality of the landscape by sustainably grazing the grasslands and scrub. While the cattle are grazing