Devana, a BNG habitat bank
in South Cambridgeshire
A 100-acre site for biodiversity net gain and nature recovery
Launched in 2023, Devana is the second Environmental Recovery Centre made possible by the Ground Control Evergreen Fund. The name is taken from ‘Via Devana’, the Roman road which passed through Cambridgeshire, and ‘Devana’, the Slavic goddess of wild nature, highlighting the commitment to preserve and enhance this 100-acre site for nature and biodiversity net gain.
As one of the first Habitat Banks in England on the National Biodiversity Net Gain Sites Register, the site enhances nature in the Cambridgeshire area through the delivery of 215 Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units available to developers to offset their net loss off-site.
BNG units at Devana, South Cambridgeshire
Local Planning Authority: South Cambridgeshire District Council
National Character Area: South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland
BNG Units: 215
Habitat units available
Grassland and other neutral grassland = 110
Shrub and heath, mixed scrub = 71
Woodland and forest, and other mixed woodland = 9
Hedgerow species: rich Hedgerow with trees = 11
Grassland: traditional orchard = 4
Lakes and ponds (non-priority) = 2
BNG habitat types available at Devana
43 acres of species-rich grassland to boost the population of pollinators
29 acres of mixed scrub and grassland to develop healthy soil and complement the landscape
17 acres of native broadleaf woodland as a home for wildlife and to store carbon
2.5 acres of traditional orchard to offer food and shelter for nature
1.3 km of native hedgerow with trees to interconnect nature and support a resilient ecosystem
8 wildlife ponds as a refuge for key species and replace valuable, lost freshwater habit
Supporting nature in cambridgeshire
Devana represents a key part of Natural Cambridgeshire’s ambition to double land managed for nature across the region from 8%, one of the lowest in the country, to 16%, the national average.
The new location has provided a home for:
20-25 native tree species
15-20 native shrub species
A wide variety of native wildflowers and grasses
These will help create more valuable habitats for various fauna such as pollinators, birds, bats, mammals, and reptiles.
The land will also provide corridors for biodiversity to spread by linking directly into the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure network via woodland and hedgerows on site and the neighbouring Semi-Natural Ancient Woodland, Rand’s Wood.
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Wildfell wins Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Enhancement
Ground Control’s Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery has won the “Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Enhancement” award at the 2024 Essex Housing Awards.
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How hedgerows contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Celebrating the secret powers of hedgerows for National Hedgerow Week 2025
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The first full year at Devana
Chris Bawtree, Ground Control Nature Recovery Director and Evergreen Board member shares highlights from the first full year of Devana, our BNG habitat bank in South Cambridgeshire
