Lepus has recently been commissioned by Gloucester City Council to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessment for two sites owned by the Council. The aim of the study is to determine the potential of these sites to host off-site BNG, where BNG requirements on development sites cannot be met.

The two potential habitat banks include Alney Island and Robinswood Hill, which are both important components of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) in Gloucester. These provide important areas of biodiversity and spaces for people to enjoy open air recreation. Alney Island is an agri-industrial site designated as part of the Severn Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA). It is comprised of flood meadows, wet woodland and marshland. Robinswood Hill is a Country Park designated as a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site includes veteran trees and even two small patches of ancient and semi-natural woodland at Matson Wood.

The PEA was used to identify all the habitats located on the two sites in order to inform the BNG assessment. By identifying the species present or likely to be present the Lepus team was able to highlight the implications species may have on any proposed works on the sites. Habitats were mapped using the UK Habs classification. Quadrats were used to identify plant species diversity to help inform the BNG habitat condition assessments. Consequently, the PEA provided information regarding the constraints that may exist with regard to any ambitious land management plans that might be prepared for either potential habitat bank. This adds a new dimension to the BNG evaluation as it surveys and engages with animal species beyond the scope of a BNG assessment.

The BNG assessment consisted of a desk-based study and a field survey of the sites. Lepus has also mapped all of the baseline habitats in GIS. This was then used to calculate the biodiversity value for the original site using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.

The final report includes a full transparent record of all the condition assessments that have been prepared for each habitat compartment, together with the Biodiversity Net Gain and the metric calculation for each site.

This research will enable the City Council to make informed decisions regarding the provision of habitat banks in and around Gloucester. This will help protect and enhance biodiversity in the city, help meet commitments towards the climate change crisis, deliver health benefits, and Green Infrastructure.