Somerset
Wrangcombe Farm
BNG registered
Added on 23/12/2025Overview
Description
Wrangcombe Farm is located near the borders of Somerset and Devon in the Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The farm comprises over 120 acres of fields, ancient woodland, springline mires, glades, heathland and steep-sided wooded valleys known locally as goyles. The Blackdown Hills is particularly special due to its unique geology and varied topography creating a mosaic of rare habitats, most of which can be identified on the farm itself. It has been largely traditionally farmed, via low intensity livestock grazing, since the Medieval times with evidence of medieval field strips found across the site. The farm is already home to a number of rare plants and animals including nightjars, skylarks, orchids and mosses. We are encouraging a greater abundance and diversity of life via a blended public and private funding mechanisms. A key element of the project is improving and creating new habitats for nature across the 20 acres (8 hectares) of grassland. We are improving the condition of the grassland via traditional hay meadow management practices, including low intensity grazing my native cattle, as well as creating mixed scrub and pond habitats. Complying with the planning obligations associated with BNG means that developers have the opportunity to invest in this project which will ensure the measurable uplift in nature and biodiversity for at least the next 30 years. Habitats Created and Improved via BNG Investment: Other Neutral Grassland This is semi-natural grassland that grows on neutral soils. It usually contains a mix of common grasses and wildflowers, such as knapweed, bird’s-foot trefoil, and oxeye daisy. Whilst not as species-rich as traditional hay meadows, it still provides important habitats for pollinators, birds, and small mammals. Because it often occurs in farmland or along field edges, it plays a key role in nature recovery, linking wildlife areas and offering opportunities for interventions that will measurably improve the nature and biodiversity found in this habitat. We will be taking our other neutral grassland fields from a moderate to a good condition according to the DEFRA Biodiversity Statutory Metric which is what generates the Offsite Biodiversity Units to meet developer BNG compliance requirements. Mixed Scrub Mixed scrub is a habitat made up of a variety of shrubs and young trees such as hawthorn, blackthorn, bramble, gorse, and hazel. It often develops on grassland, woodland edges, or abandoned farmland and provides a rich mix of shelter, food, and nesting sites for many species such as birds, insects, and small mammals. As a transitional habitat, mixed scrub is especially valuable for nature recovery, connecting woodlands and open habitats and supporting pollinators. We will be creating mixed scrub habitats to generate Offsite Biodiversity Units to meet developer BNG compliance requirements. Ponds Pond habitats are small, still bodies of freshwater that support a wide range of wildlife, from aquatic plants and insects to amphibians, birds, and mammals. Even a small pond can host species like dragonflies, newts, frogs, and water beetles, while also providing drinking and feeding spots for birds and bats. Ponds are vital for nature recovery because they boost local biodiversity and create breeding sites for rare species. We will be creating a pond to generate Offsite Biodiversity Units to meet developer BNG compliance requirements.
Local Planning Authority
Somerset
National Character Area
Blackdowns
Size
5.88 hectares
Total Units
19.57 units
Unit Price
POA
Area Units
| Broad Habitat | Habitat | Distinctiveness | Available Units | Unit Price (£) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes | Ponds (priority habitat) | High | 0.05 | POA | |
| Grassland | Other neutral grassland | Medium | 15.45 | POA | |
| Heathland and shrub | Mixed scrub | Medium | 4.07 | POA |
Somerset
Available – Registered
Blackdowns
Units available:
19.57
19.57
Unit price:
POA