Watercress Farm rewilding project

Belmont secures Conservation Covenant for BNG Site

Belmont estate becomes the first offsite biodiversity net gain provider in north somerset to secure 30-year conservation covenant

We are thrilled to announce the successful establishment of a 30-year conservation covenant for Watercress Farm, a key site in our nature recovery journey. This achievement solidifies Belmont as the first offsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) provider in North Somerset. Watercress Farm will now be added to Natural England’s Gain Sites register, marking a substantial leap forward for the offsite Biodiversity Unit market.  

To secure the conservation covenant, Belmont collaborated with TLT LLP and RSK Wilding, a BNG specialist branch of the ecological consultancy RSK Biocensus– one of the first organisations to be appointed by Defra as a Responsible Body with authority to grant conservation covenants to BNG providers.

For Belmont, BNG is just one part of a much larger vision prioritising community connection, nature recovery, and long-term climate resilience.

Henry Rossiter, Business Director at Belmont, commented,“Securing this covenant is a proud moment for our team and a testament to our long-term vision for nature recovery in the Southwest. Developers working with us aren’t just ticking a box – they’re aligning with a project offering enduring benefits for biodiversity and local communities.”

Rewetting project
Delivering the rewetting project in Watercress Farm, Sep 2023.

Natalie Bryce, Senior Legal Advisor at RSK Wilding, added, “We’re thrilled to support Belmont in establishing this conservation covenant. Their plans for the land go beyond the usual approach to BNG compliance, embracing a long-term vision for rewilding that includes the local community. For that reason, it‘s an inspiring example of how conservation can generate both ecological and social value.”   

Kingfisher on branch
Kingfisher in Watercress Farm. Credit: Andy Barnard.

A UNIQUE APPROACH TO BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN

Watercress Farm offers 352 BNG units across a mosaic of habitats, including river, pond, deciduous woodland, and lowland meadow. These units provide developers with a high-quality pathway to fulfil their BNG obligations as mandated by the Environment Act 2021. In a market where BNG is a regulatory requirement, Belmont offers developers a chance to do more.   

  • Community-driven Impact: All of Belmont’s projects are designed with the local community in mind. Watercress Farm connects local volunteers, schools, and the community to nature and food.   
  • Wider Environmental Success: Watercress Farm is, first and foremost, a dedicated habitat restoration hub. The site has already become a biodiversity hub, with over 2,000 recorded species of animals and plants and a successful rewetting project that transformed degraded land into a thriving wetland ecosystem.
  • Nature Connection: At the heart of Watercress Farm is our Nature Connection programme where we provide vital access to green spaces and hands-on experiences in nature.  We have welcomed over 6,000 young people to engage with nature so far.
children in nature
Nature Connection programme in Watercress Farm. Credit: Sam Ingles.

David Miller, Partner of law firm TLT, said: “This is a milestone moment for Belmont and the use of conservation covenants—one of the two legal mechanisms by which land can be registered on the site register. By becoming the first offsite provider in North Somerset, Belmont will deliver lasting conservation benefits for the good of the local area. It was a pleasure to support the team in securing this covenant, providing a pathway to help the business achieve its long-term sustainability goals.”

HOW to find out more

As the first offsite BNG provider registered in North Somerset and one of the first in the Southwest, Belmont can support regional development today.  

To learn more about our Biodiversity Net Gain offering, visit our BNG Expert Guide. Developers interested in securing units can contact Henry Rossiter through our BNG request form or at [email protected].   

Wetland and grassland in Watercress Farm
Watercress Farm Habitats. Credit: Sam Ingles