Habitat Banks in Rother District

Overview

Rother District Council is inviting submissions for new Habitat Banks—areas of land that can help deliver meaningful biodiversity improvements across the district. These banks support our strategic goals and ensure that biodiversity impacts from development are compensated for locally.

Details of established Habitat Banks are listed below.

Current Habitat Banks in Rother

• Hoads Farm, Fairlight

What is a Habitat Bank?

Under the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation, new developments must demonstrate at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value to gain planning permission.

When this uplift cannot be achieved on-site, developers can purchase biodiversity units from off-site locations—known as Habitat Banks.

A Habitat Bank is:

• An area of land where habitats are created or enhanced.
• Independently assessed to show measurable biodiversity improvements.
• Registered nationally and available for developers to buy biodiversity units.
• Secured for 30 years via a legal agreement.

Habitat Banks offer landowners a chance to:

• Support nature recovery.
• Generate new income streams.
• Make use of underutilised or unproductive land.

Who Can Submit Land for a Habitat Bank?

• Landowners
• Land agents
• Habitat Bank brokers
• Developers

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How to Submit Land: The Process

Step 1: Expression of Interest

• Complete and submit the Expression of Interest Form.
• Include supporting information as set out in the Expression of Interest Form.
• Pay the feasibility assessment fee (to be discussed with the Council)
• The Council will assess site constraints and alignment with strategic priorities.

Complete the Expression of Interest Form

Note: Land proposed for a Habitat Bank must not have existing licenses, permissions, consents, or restoration plans that conflict with Biodiversity Net Gain delivery.

Step 2: Invitation to Proceed

If the site is considered feasible, the landowner will be invited to submit:

• Ecological survey results.
• Habitat creation/enhancement proposals.
• Monitoring schedules.
• Mapping of the proposed Habitat Bank area.

The landowner must also agree to:

• Cover the Council’s legal costs.
• Pay the monitoring fee.

Step 3: Delivery

If approved:

Once signed, the landowner must apply to register the Habitat Bank with Natural England.

The Council will prepare a report recommending a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

Sites must be submitted to the Council using the site submission form which can be completed online: 

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Further Information

For more details on selling biodiversity units, visit the Government Guidance for Land Managers.

Habitat Banks in the High Weald National Landscape (HWNL)

Approximately 83% of Rother District lies within the High Weald National Landscape (formerly AONB). Under Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the Council must work to conserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty.

If your proposed Habitat Bank is within or near the HWNL, it must align with the HWNL’s Position Statement, which outlines key considerations for habitat creation in this protected area.

Read the upcoming HWNL Position Statement upon finalization

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like to discuss a potential Habitat Bank, please contact the Planning Policy & Placemaking Team by email at: planning.strategy@rother.gov.uk.

Alternatively, please visit our Call for Sites page if you wish to submit a site for consideration for general housing development or economic development.