Meppershall, Central Bedfordshire
Location:
Meppershall, Central Bedfordshire
Local Planning Authority:
Central Bedfordshire
National Character Area:
Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands
Yield (number of units):
43.29 BNG Units (phase 1 only – an additional 150 units are being brought forward in 2024)
Habitat Distinctiveness:
Various
Units available
10.39 Other Neutral Grassland
7.78 Mixed Scrub
1.43 Traditional Orchard
Units available from:
Now
Cost of units:
POA
Landscape and setting
The Site is approximately 2.5km southwest of the town of Shefford in Central Bedfordshire. It consists of one large arable field, two parcels of cropland, areas of grassland and a circular parcel of broadleaved woodland. The western edge of the Site runs adjacent to the River Hit with grassland to the south, arable to the west and a block of woodland to the north.
The Site is approximately 7 hectares (ha) in size, with the surrounding landscape a mosaic of cropland, grassland and woodland blocks
Management plans (what we intend to add):
Proposed habitats include the creation of species rich grassland (other calcareous grassland), mixed scrub with glades and rides, traditional orchards with species rich grassland understorey and enhancement of the onsite broadleaved woodland.
Due to the proposed habitat being significantly more diverse and requiring a less intensive management regime than currently employed across the Site, the proposals are not anticipated to result in significant effects to protected or priority species. Following implementation, it is likely that the higher value habitat will provide positive enhancements for a wide range of species, expanding their habitats from the surrounding areas, notably the river corridor.