North Yorkshire secures habitat bank

Swinton Estate has been given the green light to turn 20 acres of land into an off-site biodiversity space for developers.

The overgrazed land is being turned into a more biodiverse site through tree planting, improved grasslands, hedgerows, moss, fungi, and wildflowers.

This should encourage more birds, butterflies, and insects with walking paths created to allow people to enjoy the new habitat.

Swinton will be creating 55 habitat units that are available for developers to invest in.

Iain Shelton, chief executive at Swinton Estate, said: “Swinton is one of the first to gain approval from the North Yorkshire planning authority for off-site BNG credits.

“We will continue to work with the LPA to now secure more environmental sites, including specialised open mosaic habitat units by the end of the year.”