Farmland in Fulbourn sold off as “biodiversity units”

The move is to boost wildlife lost in the construction of Cambridge South train station.

345-acres of arable land at Lower Valley Farm is being transformed, as part of an agreement between Cambridgeshire County Council and Network Rail.

The land will be used to plant more trees, hedges, wildflower meadows and grasslands.

From January 2024, legislation comes into effect requiring new developments in England to not only provide for nature lost as part of works but to achieve a minimum biodiversity net gain of 10%. 

Network Rail has purchased 65 biodiversity units at the Fulbourn site to create an environmental legacy that complements their creation of Hobson’s Park on the Campus.

Councillor Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council:

"Our innovative Lower Valley Farm site is one of the ways we are taking action on the nature crisis we face, following years of decline across our environment. 

"Incredibly, one in six native plant and animal species is at risk of extinction in the UK today.

"It is up to all of us to go further, faster, because we need to put this right and protect our natural heritage.

"Our Fulbourn site means that developers across the area can make a positive contribution to enhance local ecosystems here in Cambridgeshire."

Cambridgeshire County Council says it is committed to delivering a greener Cambridgeshire and helping to tackle what is called an ongoing country-wide nature crisis.

It's hoped the region will be net zero by 2045, five years ahead of national targets.