East of England habitat banks secure biodiversity boost with Plantlife partnership

Accredited suppliers, Evergreen established though the nationwide employee-owned landscaping business Ground Control, has achieved a landmark milestone in its mission to restore nature at scale.

Evergreen has secured a Conservation Covenant (ConCov) for its Wildfell Habitat Bank in north Essex, with wildlife charity Plantlife appointed as the official Responsible Body.

This milestone reinforces Wildfell’s position as one of the most advanced Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) sites in the region, designed and managed to meet the rigorous standards required for inclusion on the DEFRA Biodiversity Gain Site Register.

The Conservation Covenant provides long-term legal protection for the site, giving developers exceptional confidence in the ecological integrity and durability of their investment in off-site BNG units. It is a legally binding agreement between a landowner and a designated Responsible Body, ensuring the long-term protection and management of land for conservation. As BNG becomes a legal requirement for most new developments in England, this mechanism is critical to delivering lasting nature recovery.

This latest achievement comes alongside further certification for Evergreen’s East of England habitat banks. Both Wildfell in Essex and Devana in Cambridgeshire have been certified under Plantlife’s Standard for Biodiversity Improvement, a quality benchmark that must be recertified annually for at least 30 years. This ensures robust, independent ecological oversight and long-term assurance for prospective BNG unit buyers.

Emma Hindle, Head of Sales and Service at Evergreen, commented:

“This milestone partnership with Plantlife is a game-changer for developers seeking high-integrity BNG units. With legal assurance through the DEFRA Biodiversity Gain Site Register, Conservation Covenant and certification under Plantlife’s rigorous Biodiversity Standard, Wildfell offers a unique opportunity to invest in nature recovery with confidence. We're proud to bring this to market through Evergreen, supporting our clients in meeting their BNG obligations while delivering real, lasting benefits for biodiversity.”

Chris Bawtree, Nature Recovery Director at Evergreen, said:

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Plantlife as our trusted Responsible Body, and to have our BNG units at Wildfell and Devana recognised under the Plantlife Standard for Biodiversity Improvement. Since 2021, I’ve seen the transformation of this landscape into a connected series of thriving ecosystems, with native species diversity increasing year on year. This marks a significant milestone in our BNG journey and opens the door for developers to access competitively priced, high-integrity biodiversity units. Any development within the Essex and Suffolk Natural Character Area requiring the mandatory 10% BNG uplift can now turn to Wildfell with conviction.”

Peter Dorans, Director of Business Development at Plantlife, added:

“I’m excited to be supporting this pioneering project with Ground Control’s Evergreen Fund. Our aim is to help landowners deliver high-integrity, high-quality biodiversity gain that supports an abundance and diversity of plant species. Ground Control’s team has worked collaboratively and constructively with us to evolve the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan to meet our high standards. Developers in Essex, Cambridgeshire, and beyond can now access habitat banks that deliver genuine nature restoration and are legally secured for the long term.”

Developers can enquire about Evergreen’s offsite BNG units at: www.evergreen-fund.co.uk/contact-evergreen