Posts by PapayaStudio
Restoring natural processes at Watercress Farm
THE HISTORY AND VISION OF WATERCRESS FARM We acquired Watercress Farm in 2019 intending to restore the degraded arable land through natural processes. We chose the site for several reasons. Firstly, it was representative of the size and ecological status of a fairly ‘typical’ agricultural land holding in the UK. Secondly, the site provided an…
Read MoreBNG is not perfect, but a statement of ambition
BNG is not perfect, but a statement of ambition BNG feels like a policy with the requisite ambition to help respond to our biodiversity crisis. While economic pressure has led to U-turns on a range of environmental targets, seeing this policy come into force is exciting. Its potential to reshape the impact of housing development…
Read MoreWildlife Surveying at Watercress Farm
WILDLIFE SURVEYING AT WATERCRESS FARM Belmont’s wildlife surveying programme began in 2020 after several members of the local community were interested in supporting the rewilding ambition at Watercress Farm. Several volunteers visited the site and volunteered to undertake responsibility for recording groups of other taxa in which they had interest and experience. Each of these…
Read MoreOnsite vs offsite BNG
Onsite vs Offsite Biodiversity Net Gain The new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) planning requirement has created debate over which of the two possible delivery approaches – onsite or offsite – is most impactful. Guidance prioritises onsite, while many ecologists argue offsite will produce better long-term results. Here, we delve a little deeper to help you…
Read MoreWe are not a BNG provider
We are not a BNG provider Watercress Farm is a site that really exemplifies the potential of rewilding. Belmont acquired the site in 2019 with the goal of restoring the degraded land through restored natural processes. From conventional pasture and former arable fields to a mix of scrub, meadow, wetland, woodland and river, a host…
Read More5 tips for purchasing high-quality BNG units
A SIMPLE CHECKLIST FOR SECURING HIGH-QUALITY BNG UNITS If you work for a local planning authority, developer or utility, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units will be on your mind. With so much uncertainty still circulating around BNG’s rollout, you may be tempted to opt for the cheapest provider you can find. But purchasing the wrong…
Read MoreLET’S BE INSPIRED
OUR QUARTERLY UPDATE Wow UK Summer, where have you been and gone? What began as a very dry, hot summer for our soils has slowly turned into a very wet one pre-harvest. Despite the weather, there have been a lot of big things happening at Belmont, including our exciting nature-recovery project. It’s time to look…
Read MoreSpring on the Estate
The winter seemed very long and very long ago. Between now and our last update, the estate has undergone its yearly transformation. Everything and everywhere has been frantically busy with life, and we have been trying to keep up with it. LAMBING on the farm In Spring, we had our hands full with the sixteen breeding…
Read MoreKick-starting natural regeneration with corporate partners
Spring seems to be fast approaching on the estate and many preparations are underway to prepare for the warmer weather and the busy summer of growth ahead. Our rewilding site, Watercress Farm has been especially productive in the past few weeks thanks to our corporate volunteer days where we made great progress to kickstart the…
Read MoreLet’s BE INSPIRED
BELMONT QUARTERLY UPDATE With Spring on the horizon, it’s time to look back at some of the best bits of Belmont across the last three months to share our quarterly round-up of highlights and the impact that you have helped us achieve. Recently, we’ve hosted many corporate, charity and community events, launched a new website,…
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