Buy BNG Units from Lowther

Need off-site biodiversity units to meet your BNG condition? The Lowther Estate’s habitat bank in Cumbria has Upland Hay Meadow units available, secured through a Section 106 agreement and registered on the National Gain Sites Register. We sell them from our own land, not through a broker.

Ask About Available Units

Key facts

County: Cumbria
Local Planning Authority: Lake District National Park
National Character Area: Orton Fells
Biodiversity gain sites register number: BGS-210525001
Habitat: Upland Hay Meadow
Distinctiveness: Very High
Secured by: Section 106 agreement with the Lake District National Park Authority, for 30 years
Buying options: outright purchase or option agreement

LFG-Landscaping-Grass-&-Wildflower-seeding-&-Turfing-008

Direct from the landowner

The units come from land Lowther owns and manages. You deal with us, not a broker, with no market in between.

Registered and secured

Secured for 30 years through a Section 106 agreement and registered on the National Gain Sites Register (BGS-210525001).

Buy now or reserve

Buy units outright, or reserve them through an option agreement to fit your planning programme.

Grass and wildflower seeding by Lowther Forestry

Biodiversity units available

Upland Hay Meadow

Upland Hay Meadow units, rated Very High distinctiveness under the statutory biodiversity metric, are available now, with more habitat types on the way.

You can buy units outright, or through an option agreement if you need to secure units before your planning decision.

Units are allocated as they sell, so availability changes. Ask us for the current position.

Ask About Available Units

Direct from the Lowther Estate, not a broker

Many off-site units are sold through brokers and habitat bank networks. Ours aren’t. The habitat bank sits on the Lowther Estate, and we sell the units ourselves.

You deal with the people who own and manage the land, from the first conversation to the allocation on the register. The habitat is part of the Estate’s long-term commitment to nature recovery, delivered locally in Cumbria.

Upland hay meadow in flower on the Lowther Estate, with a dry stone wall and woodland behind — After

The habitat bank

The habitat bank is an upland hay meadow on the Lowther Estate, in the Lake District National Park and the Orton Fells National Character Area. It’s land we own and manage ourselves, and part of the Estate’s long-term commitment to nature recovery.

The units are registered on the National Gain Sites Register (BGS-210525001), so you can check them for yourself.

How the habitat is secured

Every unit is backed by a Section 106 agreement, which legally commits the habitat to be created, managed and monitored for 30 years, as Biodiversity Net Gain requires.

When you buy, your units are allocated to your development on the National Gain Sites Register, so the gain is recorded against your planning condition.

More habitat banks are on the way

This is only the start. The Lowther Estate has more habitat banks and new habitat types in the pipeline, all on our own land. Register your interest and you’ll be among the first to hear when new units are ready.

Aerial view of grazed fields on the Lowther Estate — Before

Artist's impression of the same Lowther Estate fields with scrub, trees and wetter grassland — Artist's impression

Nationally recognised accreditations

NHSS 18A, 18B and 18C accredited for arboricultural works on the strategic road network. Certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

Need habitat created on your own site?

We also deliver Biodiversity Net Gain on site: woodland creation, hedgerow and native planting, wildflower and meadow establishment, pond and wetland creation and habitat restoration.

On-Site Biodiversity Net Gain

Common Questions About Buying BNG Units

What is a biodiversity unit?

A biodiversity unit measures the habitat value of a piece of land using the statutory biodiversity metric. Most developments in England must deliver at least a 10% biodiversity net gain. Where that can’t all happen on site, developers can buy off-site units to make up the difference.

What units do you have available?

Upland Hay Meadow units from the Lowther Estate’s habitat bank in Cumbria, registered on the National Gain Sites Register (BGS-210525001). Availability changes as units are allocated, so ask us for the current position.

Are you a broker?

No. The units come from our own land. You deal directly with the landowner, with no broker or market in between.

What’s the difference between buying outright and an option agreement?

Buying outright secures and allocates units now. An option agreement lets you reserve units while your planning application progresses and complete the purchase when you need them. We’ll talk you through the terms.

How is the habitat secured?

Through a Section 106 agreement, which legally commits the habitat to be created, managed and monitored for 30 years. The habitat bank is registered on the National Gain Sites Register.

Can my development use units from Cumbria?

It depends where your site is. Units count in full for developments in the same Local Planning Authority or National Character Area, and count for less further away. Tell us your site location and we’ll tell you how our units would count.

Will more units become available?

Yes. More habitat banks and habitat types are on the way. Register your interest and we’ll let you know when new units are available.

Can you also deliver Biodiversity Net Gain on our site?

Yes. We deliver woodland creation, hedgerow and native planting, wildflower and meadow establishment, pond and wetland creation and habitat restoration, and can advise on habitat types and species mixes.

Talk to us about BNG units from Lowther

Tell us where your development is and how many units you need, and we’ll tell you what’s available and how it would count.

Also from the Lowther Estate

Charismatic Carbon from woodland creation on the Estate, sold direct from our own land.

Buy Carbon Credits