The launch of a new nature reserve and Biodiversity Net Gain Site at Buzzards Valley is set to help us deliver our long-term environmental goals.
The landowners of the site at Drayton Bassett, which includes six fishing lakes, woodland habitats and ancient woodland, have signed a 30-year agreement with Habitat Banks West Midlands to safeguard and enhance vital habitats.
Through the agreement, Lichfield District Council, in a joint project with the council’s wholly-owned company Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services Ltd (LWMTS), has secured the long-term future of the site by enabling the landowners to generate income through Biodiversity Units, sold to developers seeking to meet Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) obligations.
On Wednesday 10 September, district councillors joined owners and staff at Buzzards Valley, representatives from Habitat Banks West Midlands and invited guests to celebrate the launch with a tour of the site.
Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Ecology and Climate Change, said:
“It is an absolute pleasure to be here for what is a significant milestone. This site is only the second in Staffordshire to be registered with Natural England as a Biodiversity Site.
“This is an initiative which supports ambitions set out in our 2050 Strategic Plan, which places biodiversity, climate resilience and sustainable land use at the heart of the district’s future.
“It’s a fantastic example of partnership working to protect and enhance biodiversity in Lichfield District. I wish Buzzards Valley every success.”
Yvonne Viggers from Buzzards Valley said:
“We are very proud to contribute to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in Lichfield District. We have nurtured this land for more than 60 years and now through our partnership with Lichfield District Council we can do even more to create habitats for wildlife, which we believe is absolutely vital.”
For more information about Buzzards Valley please visit www.buzzards-valley.co.uk
For more information on Biodiversity Net Gain please visit habitatbankswestmidlands.co.uk