Cambridge University required a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessment for the creation of a solar farm. The solar farm will be used to supply electricity to the university to help meet its net zero targets. The site covers 37 hectares of arable fields and grassland southeast of the Lordsbridge Radio telescope in Barton, Cambridgeshire.
We were commissioned to undertake a BNG assessment to detail how the biodiversity enhancements in the proposed scheme would lead to an overall benefit to biodiversity.
Our ecologists carried out a thorough habitat condition assessment. This was compared to the proposed landscape masterplan in order to calculate an overall biodiversity net change for the site.
We were then able to offer advice on the scope and type of habitats required to be created, enhanced or restored to help provide the net gain required. The proposals included: the creation of wildflower grassland underneath the solar panels, the planting of a number of new, species-rich hedgerows, as well as the creation of new scrub thickets of mixed scrub planting to connect existing woodland to the offsite County Wildlife Sites (CWS) which also provided a buffer for an active badger sett. In addition, the two areas of woodland within the Site and the grassland were to be retained to enhance existing habitats.
MKA concluded that the proposed development would lead to a significant net gain in biodiversity at the site. The largest gain would be generated by the creation of a meadow grassland beneath the solar panels and the site’s woodland parcels that would be enhanced from ‘Poor’ to ‘Moderate’ condition.
The solar farm is planned to be in place for 40 years. After this time the university said the land would be returned to agricultural use.