Currently, applicants in Milton Keynes have the option to offset their biodiversity losses within their own landholdings, through a third party or through the Milton Keynes City Council scheme. The management of offset sites must be legally secured for a minimum of 30 years.
We are unable to recommend third-party offset providers and at this stage a national or local list of such providers is not available. However, you may want to approach BNG brokers, Habitat Banks, local landowners, land managers or nature conservation trusts to help you achieve your biodiversity net gain requirements.
Milton Keynes City Council scheme may be able to offer offsetting within the Councils land holding or through partners. We recommend engaging with us as soon as possible if you wish to consider this option to establish the potential and cost. The scheme will be informed by government advice and the outcome of recent public consultations, which is expected in 2023. Further information on the scheme will be provided here when available.
You can contact us if you are a provider of biodiversity offsets, would like to enter land into the Milton Keynes Scheme or would like more information on the options available.
Sites
Magiovinium - Roman Town and Scheduled Ancient Monument
These fields were once the site of a Roman Town, whilst there is no above ground evidence of this, below the ground lies the footprint of the Roman buildings. Until recently, this important historical site was under threat due to the yearly agricultural ploughing of the fields which erodes the below ground features. If simply left the fields would evolve into scrub and the roots would further damage the archaeology.
Milton Keynes City Council aim to manage the site as a public park to maintain, create and enhance a range of habitats including: lowland meadow, hedgerows, mature trees and a pond, while conserving the archaeological interest of the ancient monument. The existing habitats at the site are of limited biodiversity interest, consisting of species-poor rough grassland, ruderal and weed vegetation and encroaching scrub that has developed on former arable farmland and supporting only common and widespread plant species.
Across the UK species rich meadows have decreased by 97% in the last 100 years. New meadow grassland will be established in both fields by sensitively cultivating them and sowing with a meadow wildflower mix to produce a traditional meadow. Overtime the meadow will establish a rich ecology of plants, invertebrates (Butterflies, Beetles etc), small mammals and bird life. The hedgerows will also be replanted where required and the pond area restored.
It is appreciated this creates temporary disturbance for wildlife, but the aim is it will be the last widescale disruption.