An agreement between Network Rail and Cambridgeshire County Council will see wildlife and biodiversity habitats, which are disrupted by the construction of the new Cambridge South station delivered at a target with a net gain target of 10%.

January 2024 will see new legislation come into play requiring new housing, industrial or commercial developments to provide a positive net gain for biodiversity local to the project. The new legislation will see the net gain created through the provision of new habitats and green spaces.

The agreement will see Network Rail deliver a package of landscaping which will improve current habitats in the area of Hobsons Park. Further work will also see approximately 21,000 square metres of land saved in the locality in order to balance the reduction of public open space due to the building of the new Cambridge South station.

The land being saved supports the replacement of habitats and will see new wildlife features such as:

• Open grassland and wildflower meadows
• Hedgerows and scrub
• Seasonal and drainage ponds with enhanced riparian habitat
• Bat and bird boxes alongside song posts for corn bunting
• A mix of native trees and clusters of woodland habitat across the entire nature reserve.

The landscaping project aims to bring a positive increase for the area local to the new station, however, even more work will be needed to support the 10% net gain target as it is impossible to fully mitigate features such as grassland and woodland on-site.

The project will also involve collaborative working between the two parties involving Cambridgeshire County Council’s impressive 140-hectare Lower Valley Farm scheme, which is in Fulbourn. The innovative scheme was created to mitigate the effect of the climate crisis whilst aiming to inspire businesses from all fields to play their part in providing a solution.

Network Rail is one of the largest landowners across the country and delivering targets set out in the UK Government‘s 25-Year Environment Plan is a key focus. The project with Cambridgeshire County Council provides an example of Network Rail’s ongoing commitment to support the environment into the future whilst delivering an improved national rail network.

Emma Sharpe, Network Rail’s senior sponsor for Anglia, said:

“Delivering a sustainable and lasting biodiversity legacy has been a key goal in delivering this new station. The agreement is the culmination of lots of hard work to not only compensate habitat and wildlife in Hobsons Park but also secure 10% net gain in biodiversity through investment in the county council’s Lower Valley Farm scheme.”

“We are committed to boosting our environmental credentials through the work that we do to enhance and maintain the railway, and as the first partner to invest in the Lower Valley Farm scheme, we are proud to lead the way in partnership with the county council.”

Councillor Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council said:

“Our innovative Lower Valley Farm site is one of the ways we are taking action on the nature crisis we face, following years of decline across our environment. Incredibly, one in six native plant and animal species is at risk of extinction in the UK today.

“It is up to all of us to go further, faster, because we need to put this right and protect our natural heritage. Our Fulbourn site means that developers across the area can make a positive contribution to enhance local ecosystems here in Cambridgeshire.”