Moorland in Greater Manchester has been named as a habitat bank with the aim to conserve existing wildlife and attract new species.

Under the scheme, developers will be able to purchase biodiversity ‘units’ to offset environmental harm from their projects.

Environment Bank has announced a collection of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitat banks secured under conservation covenants so they can be added to the national BNG register.

Horwich habitat bank, set across two sites, is part of eight Environment Bank sites covering 500 acres secured under the covenants. There is now a legal land agreement signed for the new 51 hectare Horwich nature recovery site.

Horwich habitat bank, north of Bolton, covers low-yielding farmland and grassland that will be transformed into a nature restoration site. The bank is split into 33 and 18 hectares over two parcels of land.

It is to the south of the West Pennine Moors, parts of which are notified as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

Environment Bank is working to enhance and manage the grasslands as species-rich meadows, with ponds and enhanced ditches within the naturally wetter depressions. As the Horwich site develops over the years it is hoped native wildlife will return to the area, such as curlew and great crested newt.

Protected species already residing there will benefit from the habitat improvements, including lapwing, skylark, grasshopper warbler, common toad, and brown hare. Environment Bank has funded a conservation grazing course so that the existing landowner can farm traditional native cattle breeds.

The herd will improve the quality of the landscape by sustainably grazing the grasslands and scrub. While the cattle are grazing for conservation purposes, they’re also being reared for meat production to enhance the landowner’s existing farm business.

The public will be able to access the site on existing footpaths, so that they can witness as the habitat bank continues to develop over the years. The sites transform low-yielding farmland into nature recovery sites and maximise biodiversity uplifts.

Developers can then purchase more than 800 off-site biodiversity units to offset their construction projects. The eight new sites will shortly be added to the gains site register and will almost double the number of sites on the national registry.

BNG also offers landowners a way to diversify their income, enhance their natural landscapes and build business resilience for their farms.

Richard Pendlebury, landowner and farmer, Horwich Habitat Bank said: “Environment Bank’s model means that we’ll receive funding for a minimum of 30 years to manage the habitat bank.

“Such a guaranteed source of income is quite rare in the farming landscape, which is typically subject to constant change.

“This is an option that offers both certainty and a stable income for our family business for generations to come.”

Catherine Spitzer, CEO, Environment Bank said: “Working alongside local farmers and landowners, Environment Bank has 25 habitat banks already live, generating more than 4,000 biodiversity units.

“Securing legal agreements for these sites is the final step in unlocking the supply of biodiversity units.

“With developers required to ensure their projects benefit nature overall, this marks a significant milestone in the implementation phase.”