Species-rich grassland at Sleight Farm habitat bank

Bath & NE Somerset · West of England

Sleight Farm Habitat Bank

A 70-hectare registered habitat bank restoring former grazing land into species-rich lowland meadow.

Area
70 ha
BNG units
374
Status
Registered
Host LPA
Bath & NE Somerset
Registered habitat bank

Overview

A landscape in recovery

Once a heavily grazed sheep and goat farm, Sleight Farm is being carefully managed to allow species-rich grassland to re-establish — creating high-quality, locally available Biodiversity Net Gain for nearby development. Through conservation grazing, timed hay cuts and ongoing monitoring, recent surveys recorded lowland meadow indicator species and the first bee orchid on the site.

Location & areas served

Where it is, and where it can help

Well placed to serve nearby local planning authorities across the South West. Solid area = full value (host LPA & NCA); hatched = neighbouring LPAs/NCAs at 0.75× under the spatial risk multiplier.

Sleight Farm Full value (local LPA & NCA) Neighbouring (0.75×)

Habitat units & types

What’s available

Sleight Farm offers 374 registered BNG units across seven habitat types. Unit availability and pricing by habitat are confirmed on enquiry for your specific requirement.

Habitat typeBroad groupCondition
Lowland meadowGrasslandGood
Other neutral grasslandGrasslandModerate
Broadleaved woodlandWoodlandGood
Mixed scrubScrubModerate
Native hedgerowsHedgerowGood
Individual treesTreesGood
DitchesWatercourseModerate

About the land & its legacy

From grazing land to living meadow

Rather than force change, our management creates the conditions for nature to recover — letting the grasslands re-establish and reveal the diversity held within the soil. Areas once classified as modified grassland are developing the characteristics of more diverse neutral grassland, while one parcel is moving towards lowland meadow.

Ecological ambition & stewardship

Managed for at least 30 years

Species-rich grassland

Lowland meadow established through conservation grazing, timed hay cuts and green-hay spreading.

Structural diversity

Grazing creates variation in sward structure, supporting invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles.

Evidenced monitoring

Botanical and wildlife monitoring tracks progress — from meadow indicators to barn and tawny owls.

Photography & gallery

Sleight Farm through the seasons

The recovery so far

A landscape finding its character

At acquisition

A heavily grazed farm

Sleight Farm came to us as a sheep and goat farm, with relatively species-poor grassland and limited botanical diversity.

Management

Conservation grazing & hay cuts

We introduced conservation grazing and carefully timed hay cuts, creating the conditions for nature to recover.

Latest botanical survey

Meadow indicators & a first bee orchid

Knapweed, bird’s-foot trefoil, betony and pignut recorded — and the first bee orchid on the site. Read the survey →

Wildlife monitoring

Owls, badgers & bullfinches

Cameras recorded barn owl, a juvenile tawny owl, badgers, fallow deer and Amber-list bullfinches. See what we found →

Coming this autumn

Green-hay spreading

Green hay from the richest areas will be spread across the site to accelerate the spread of wildflowers.

What we’ve recorded

Signs of a habitat coming to life

Flora

Bee orchid

The first recorded on the site — a strong signal of developing species-rich grassland.

Flora

Knapweed

Abundant in the area managed for lowland meadow; a characteristic meadow species.

Flora

Bird’s-foot trefoil

A lowland meadow indicator that supports pollinators across the sward.

Fauna

Barn & tawny owl

Recorded on wildlife cameras — owls depend on healthy small-mammal populations.

Fauna

Badger & fallow deer

Moving through a landscape that increasingly offers food, shelter and cover.

Fauna

Bullfinch

On the UK’s Amber List — relies on scrub, hedgerow and woodland-edge habitat.

Enquire about units

Talk to us about Sleight Farm

Tell us a little about your scheme and we’ll come back with unit availability, habitat types and pricing.

We’ll only use your details to respond to your enquiry.

Thanks — enquiry received.

We’ll be in touch shortly about unit availability at Sleight Farm.

Sleight Farm · 374 units · Bath & NE SomersetEnquire about units