Haffenden FarmBNG offset site
Local Planning Authority: Ashford
National Character Area: Low Weald / High Weald
what3words: ///position.caves.rags
OS grid ref: TQ 86952 36522
Postcode: TN30 6TG
Habitat units available - Surveyed 2023/2025
A total of 328.18 habitat units, 18.07 hedgerow units and 6.02 watercourse units are available from the following habitat types, the site is split up into 10 Phases as below:
Phase 1 - High Weald
Lowland meadows (Very High distinctiveness) - 22.031 units
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (High distinctiveness) - 0.582 units
Mixed scrub (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.325 units
Line of trees (Low distinctiveness) - 0.660 units
Species-rich native hedgerow (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.884 units
Phase 2 - Low Weald
Lowland meadows (Very High distinctiveness) - 62.113 units
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (High distinctiveness) - 0.288 units
Other broadleaved woodland (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.036 units
Pond (non-priority) (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.123 units
Individual trees (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.100 units
Species-rich native hedgerow (Medium distinctiveness) - 1.319 units
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees (High distinctiveness) - 2.008 units
Ditch (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.413 units
Phase 3 - High Weald
Lowland meadows (Very High distinctiveness) - 53.043 units
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (High distinctiveness) - 1.163 units
Mixed scrub (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.321 units
Species-rich native hedgerow (Medium distinctiveness) - 1.508 units
Ditch (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.624 units
Phase 4
Lowland meadows (Very High distinctiveness) - 19.739 units
Other broadleaved woodland (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.589 units
Species-rich native hedgerow (Medium distinctiveness) - 1.727 units
Phase 5 - Low Weald
Lowland meadows (Very High distinctiveness) - 68.860 units
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (High distinctiveness) - 0.160 units
Mixed scrub (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.050 units
Pond (non-priority) (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.140 units
Individual trees (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.090 units
Traditional orchard (High distinctiveness) - 0.100 units
Species-rich native hedgerow (Medium distinctiveness) - 2.540 units
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees (High distinctiveness) - 1.520 units
Ditch (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.990 units
Phase 6 - High Weald
Lowland meadows (Very High distinctiveness) - 24.488 units
Individual trees (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.050 units
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees (High distinctiveness) - 1.630 units
Ditch (Medium distinctiveness) - 1.616 units
Phase 7 - Low Weald
Other neutral grassland (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.171units
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (High distinctiveness) - 0.069 units
Mixed scrub (Medium distinctiveness) - 1.713 units
Other broadleaved woodland (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.195 units
Traditional orchard (High distinctiveness) - 3.351 units
Species-rich native hedgerow (Medium distinctiveness) - 1.938 units
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees (High distinctiveness) - 0.647 units
Phase 8 - High Weald
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (High distinctiveness) - 6.430 units
Phase 9 - High Weald
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (High distinctiveness) - 2.384 units
Phase 10 - High Weald
Lowland meadows (Very High distinctiveness) - 53.690 units
Individual trees (Medium distinctiveness) - 0.038 units
Line of trees (Low distinctiveness) - 0.166 units
Species-rich native hedgerow with trees (High distinctiveness) - 0.440 units
Ditch (Medium distinctiveness) - 2.078 units
Site description
This 67.94-hectare site is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Ashford and lies between the villages of Biddenden and St Michaels.
Haffenden is split into 10 Phases, please see the above units set out for each phase.
It is surrounded by woodland and arable fields, and the wider area is largely made up of small villages, woodland, and arable fields.
The land at Haffenden Farm is not subject to any statutory nature conservation designations, and none are located within a 1km radius. However, the Local Wildlife Site 'Sandpit Wood, Clapper Hill' lies immediately adjacent to the site along the eastern and southern boundary, and two more are found within a 1 km radius. Nine Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands and one Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site lie immediately adjacent to or within 1km of the site.
The site currently comprises a variety of habitats, including lowland meadow, other neutral grassland, modified grassland, mixed scrub, lowland mixed deciduous woodland and wet woodland. With hedgerows and ditches throughout.
Notably, the site contains lowland meadow, representing approximately 0.5% of this habitat in the country, though much is in poor condition. Lowland meadows typically contain a rich mixture of native grass and flowering plant species, making them a haven for many pollinator species. All the existing lowland meadow on the site will be enhanced to good condition, while parcels of other neutral grassland will also be converted into this very high distinctiveness habitat.
Traditional orchard will also be created from other neutral grassland, this is a priority habitat that supports a huge range of fauna and flora.
Meanwhile, areas of mixed scrub, woodland and hedgerows are to be raised to a better condition through nature-friendly management such as pruning, grazing, planting, and coppicing as appropriate. In addition, all native hedgerows will be enhanced to species-rich native hedgerow by in-filling with a more diverse mix of hedgerow species.
Fill out a form at the bottom of this page or email your development's BNG metric to bngenquiries@adonisblue.org.uk for a free BNG consultation.
These units are valid for a maximum of two years, provided site conditions do not significantly change. If more than two years have lapsed between the site survey and habitat works being undertaken, an updated survey will be necessary to ensure recommendations remain valid.
Habitat Transitions
Current habitats
Proposed habitats
Site Photos
