Ground Control’s Wildfell Habitat Bank Secures Biodiversity Boost with Plantlife Partnership

Ground Control’s Evergreen Fund has secured a landmark Conservation Covenant (ConCov) approval, with wildlife charity Plantlife acting as the official Responsible Body. This formal legal agreement enables the sale of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units at Wildfell Habitat Bank in Essex, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of ecological integrity and legal compliance.

A Conservation Covenant is a legally binding agreement between a landowner and a designated Responsible Body that secures the long-term protection and management of land for conservation purposes. It is a vital mechanism underpinning the delivery of BNG, now a legal requirement for most developments in England, and provides buyers with confidence in the ecological rigour and permanence of the BNG units on offer.

In addition to securing the ConCov, Wildfell, alongside Ground Control’s Cambridgeshire-based Devana Habitat Bank, has achieved certification under Plantlife’s Standard for Biodiversity Improvement. This standard must be recertified annually for at least 30 years, providing robust, long-term quality assurance to potential buyers.

Chris Bawtree, Nature Recovery Director at Ground Control, commented:

Peter Dorans, Director of Business Development at Plantlife, added:

Plantlife brings over 35 years of experience in delivering nature restoration in partnership with landowners and delivery partners like Ground Control. This wealth of expertise has informed the Plantlife Standard for Biodiversity Improvement, a practical and accessible guide to high-quality, long-term restoration efforts, underpinned by an abundance and diversity of native plants and fungi.

The Standard supports the expanding nature restoration market by providing clear, evidence-based guidance for landowners, investors, and practitioners. It outlines essential steps including land suitability assessment, comprehensive baseline surveys, a robust biodiversity improvement plan with measurable targets, and long-term ecological management backed by legal protections. Accompanied by an independent certification and assurance system, the Standard helps build trust and transparency in biodiversity-related investments.

About Wildfell Habitat Bank

Wildfell is a 296-acre estate dedicated to nature recovery and conservation. Located near Wethersfield in the Braintree District of north Essex, this former arable farmland was acquired in August 2021 through a £2 million investment from Ground Control’s Evergreen Fund. In just five years, Wildfell has been transformed into a nature-rich habitat bank offering approximately 383 off-site BNG units across a mosaic of woodland, scrub, grassland, orchards, hedgerows, and wetland habitats. The nearby River Pant contributes to the site’s rich array of streams and ponds.

About Ground Control’s Evergreen Fund

Focused on biodiversity net gain and carbon sequestration, Ground Control’s Evergreen Fund backs purpose-driven projects and social enterprises. All returns are recycled into further green ventures, creating a self-sustaining model for climate and nature recovery. Launched with an initial £5 million investment and a commitment to reinvest 5% of Ground Control’s annual net profits, the fund supports high-impact environmental initiatives.

About Plantlife

Plantlife is the global charity working to enhance, protect, restore, and celebrate the wild plants and fungi that are essential to all life on earth. Founded in 1989, Plantlife manages over 24 nature reserves and delivers evidence-based conservation through partnerships, public engagement, and policy influence. Its mission is to create a world rich in wild plants and fungi—vital for healthy ecosystems, food chains, carbon storage, and overall biodiversity.