New habitat bank to help nature recover in West Oxfordshire

Image:  West Oxfordshire District Council

A habitat bank is an area of land that is used to create or restore habitats for wildlife and biodiversity.

Cllr Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery said: “West Oxfordshire has long been at the forefront of supporting nature recovery, and this new habitat bank is another positive step forward for the district. Projects like Radford Farm show how farming, biodiversity and climate action can work together to benefit local communities. By restoring habitats locally, we can help wildlife recover, improve air, and water quality, store carbon and create a healthier natural environment for future generations.”

Sam Parsons, landowner at Radford Farm, said: “By taking the right areas out of crop production, we are creating something beautiful where land was losing nutrients. Income from BNG land covers the cost of the lost crops, and the advice and support I’ve received shows how BNG can support both nature recovery and helping farms stay sustainable.”

Work already carried out includes sowing native wildflower seeds and planting trees to provide more shade. Habitat restoration can also help store carbon, improve water and air quality, reduce flood risk, and support the recovery of local wildlife.

More information about the Radford Farm habitat bank is available from the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment website.