Rare floodplain habitat returning to 90-acre site near Bath

A major nature restoration project will see the return of close to 90 acres of rare floodplain habitat to a site near Bath.

The site at Holm Mead at Bitton | Photo © Naturum

Under a 30-year scheme from a biodiversity net gain (BNG) provider, the site at Holm Mead at Bitton will be restored from farmland to its historic wildlife-rich meadow and wetland character, benefiting rare species including lesser horseshoe bats, otters, kingfishers and grass snakes.

Beavers are already known to be present on the site, which is bounded by the River Avon and River Boyd and sits within the Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges National Character Area.

Naturum, formerly Nature Capital Partners, specialises in the acquisition, ownership and long-term management of habitat banks.

Under the Environment Act 2021, developers must achieve a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity post-development which can include off-site mitigation.

Work is set to begin within weeks following the special biodiversity registration of the Holm Mead site with Natural England in July.

The site sits alongside seven designated wildlife sites, including two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). It has been farmed for fodder grasses in recent decades but was historically a habitat-rich water meadow.

Naturum’s project will return the original floodplain character to the local landscape, including the area’s distinctive lowland meadow and floodplain wetland mosaic.

Interactive information boards will be installed along the site’s footpaths to encourage residents to engage with the wildlife, and record species sightings via a QR code. Local schools will be offered guided educational visits led by the company’s ecologist team.

The site falls within South Gloucestershire but is close to the Bath & North East Somerset border. The nature recovery plan comes at a key moment for local wildlife restoration as B&NES Council signs the Avon Bioregion Charter for Rights.

Anthony Binnie, co-founder of Naturum, said: “Floodplain meadows like this were once a defining feature of the Avon Valley, and most have disappeared over the last century.

“Restoring it will bring back local wildlife, and give native British species like lesser horseshoe bats, otters and grass snakes a home that has been missing from this stretch of the river for a long time.

“We want this to be something local people can be proud of, and something they can watch develop for themselves over the coming years.”

Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said: “Projects like this show how partnership working can help nature recover at scale.

“We are pleased to be working closely with Naturum, local farmers and the community to restore this important floodplain habitat and improve the health of the River Avon.

“This is a long-term commitment that will support wildlife, strengthen the resilience of our natural environment and create more opportunities for residents to experience and connect with nature. We look forward to seeing the site and its wildlife thrive in the years ahead.”

Naturum says B&NES Council has been the primary point of local authority contact on this project to date, but it is looking to engage with South Gloucestershire Council as the project progresses.