Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery

The Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery is the biggest landscape-scale nature-recovery project Ground Control has undertaken in its 50-year history. 

Made possible by an initial £2m Evergreen Fund investment, the transformation of this ex-arable farm is developing a habitat bank for high-integrity biodiversity net gain (BNG) units and an educational facility for nature recovery, carbon sequestration design, and long-term habitat management.

Located within the South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland National Character Area and adjacent to the River Pant, this scheme will enhance existing ancient woodland and create a complex habitat mosaic.

The BNG scheme forms part of a wider environmental strategy alongside community outreach and woodland planting for carbon credits.

The BNG scheme will generate over 340 biodiversity units consisting of woodland, scrub, ponds, individual trees, orchard, grassland, and hedgerows.

Developers can secure biodiversity units for the following habitat types:

  • Woodland habitats of high distinctiveness
  • Heathland and shrub habitats of medium distinctiveness
  • Grassland habitats of medium distinctiveness
  • Lake habitats of medium to high distinctiveness
  • Hedgerow habitats of high to very high distinctiveness

Use the slider below to see the impact of environmental recovery at Wildfell.

The Story of Wildfell

Looking back at the history of the Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery
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Wildfell. A BNG habitat bank in North Essex

Creating habitats for Biodiversity Net Gain since 2021
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'First Avenue' tree dedicated to Essex eco champion

Ground Control dedicates ‘First Avenue’ tree to Essex eco-champion at showcase nature recovery project
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Carbon neutral businesses advocate sustainable tree planting pledges

Forklift truck distributor Briggs Equipment has teamed up with Ground Control on a sustainable tree planting initiative in Braintree, Essex
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Ground Control invests in the Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery

A 296-acre site, dedicated to helping landowners unlock the potential of their under-used land for nature’s recovery

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