Introducing Halnaker Hill Farm – returning 330 acres to nature in one of the UK’s largest ever Biodiversity Net Gain schemes
Set in the beautiful South Downs National Park, with views for miles around from historic Halnaker Windmill, are 330 acres of farmland that we’re returning to nature to help build a brighter, greener future.
This is a passion project for us, and one which provides a significant opportunity for developers, corporates and individuals to invest in biodiversity and the fight against climate change.
The transformation of Halnaker Hill Farm will see the return of woodland, wildlife corridors and native species to this jewel of the Sussex Countryside.
The project provides more than 850 biodiversity net gain units, available now, in one of the UK’s largest ever biodiversity land banks when measured by the number of units.
The purchase of every unit secures a 30-year investment in this ecologically valuable landscape, and is available to:
- Developers who need to meet mandatory legal requirements for biodiversity when building
- Corporates to help fulfil their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals
- Individuals who are passionate about the environment and want to make a meaningful, personal contribution to nature recovery
How we’re looking to the past to secure a greener future
Working with expert ecologists, in a project inspired by maps created by cartographers Yeakell & Gardener in the late 18th Century, we are using regenerative agriculture techniques to restore this land to its former natural peak.
The majority of the land at Halnaker was intensively farmed for wheat since the 1970s, with the use of chemicals and pesticides leaving poor soil quality and low levels of biodiversity. Now under the stewardship of Halnaker Hill Natural Capital (HHNC), that’s changing already.
Since HHNC acquired the farm in 2024, we’ve planted over 20,000 trees, sown 7km of hedgerow, seeded wildflower meadows and created dew ponds to set the scene for a renaissance of nature in the decades to come. New wildlife corridors will be created to encourage birds, bats, insects and mammals to take residence.
The land will be actively managed by our teams, so it becomes a naturally evolving, living, breathing environment teeming with life. Its legacy will remain for generations to come.
Biodiversity Net Gain units – a measurable way to verify a positive impact on nature
A biodiversity unit is a measurable, trackable, standard unit representing a positive outcome for nature. Unlike carbon credits, which only focus on greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity units specifically address nature loss.
BNG units enable us to measure investment in projects that actively conserve and enhance ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
A habitat will contain a number of units, depending on specifics such as its size, quality, location, type and the kinds of flora and fauna present – its ‘natural capital’.
At Halnaker Hill Farm, we have various habitats of medium and high distinctiveness including hedgerows; lowland calcareous (chalky) grassland; other neutral grassland; mixed scrub; ponds; individual trees and woodland.
Overall, our BNG scheme, commercially managed by Kingsbridge is part of a much larger BNG picture regionally and nationally – and will contribute significantly to the wider Government and South Downs National Park target of re-naturing 33% of the South Downs by 2030.
“Halnaker Hill Farm generates over 850 available BNG units, providing us with an outstanding opportunity to restore hundreds of acres of farmland through regenerative farming methods. We are excited to launch Halnaker Hill Farm to the market, setting a new benchmark for sustainable, regenerative farming while helping to meet the BNG needs of developers, and providing organisations and individuals with a responsible way to invest in biodiversity and the fight against climate change." Greg Lukasiewicz, Sales & Marketing Director, Halnaker Hill Natural Capital.
Why is biodiversity so vital?
We all know that human activity has a direct impact on the environment around us, and about the devastating effects of global warming and climate change. We’ve seen it first hand – rising temperatures, longer summers and unpredictable rainfall. All 10 of the warmest years in the UK have been since 2003, with 2022 the hottest year since records began.
The loss of biodiversity is a huge contributing factor to this change, and we know that by restoring biodiversity we can help address it and secure a greener future.
It is for this reason that the Government introduced new BNG rules for development in the Environment Act 2021. Developers in England are now legally required to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity when they build new homes, commercial buildings, or other infrastructure. If they can’t create the enhancement on-site, they need to buy off-site BNG units from approved nature restoration schemes like ours.
Find out more about the units for sale here
Be part of the change
Whether you're a developer, a company with ESG goals, or an individual who simply wants to leave the planet better than you found it, Halnaker Hill Farm offers a unique opportunity to invest in a greener, more biodiverse future.
For more information on BNG units or how to get involved, contact us.
Follow our journey on LinkedIn and Instagram @HalnakerHillFarm.
