From the ground: the real work starts at Lesnewth

At Lesnewth, our ecology and land teams met with the landowner, grazier and Cornwall Wildflower CIC to plan the habitat bank’s first activation: establishing 3ha of wildflower meadow. 

Standing in the field, the team worked through the practical details: how to prepare the ground, when to sow and, importantly, what should go into the seed mix.

Rather than using a standard wildflower mix, the seed is being carefully selected to suit the local conditions and character of this part of North Cornwall. It’s about creating the right meadow, in the right place.

Over the coming weeks, the field will be prepared and sown, before the cattle stay off through the winter to give the meadow time to establish.

This is the first activation at Lesnewth and the beginning of the habitat restoration planned across the wider habitat bank. Over time, wildflower grassland will sit alongside enhanced woodland, scrub and Cornish hedgerows, creating stronger connections for nature across the landscape.

For us, this is what long-term BNG delivery looks like on the ground: bringing together ecological expertise and the people who know the land to make the right decisions for the landscape.

Looking for BNG units in Cornwall? Talk to us.