The Trust is only the third Wildlife Trust in the country to receive this accreditation and joins an exclusive group of just 30 organisations across England entrusted with this responsibility.
Arcadian Ecology & Consulting, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, has also been appointed as a Responsible Body. Together, these accreditations strengthen the Trust’s ability to deliver long-term conservation outcomes in the region, supporting its mission to safeguard wildlife and habitats.
As a Responsible Body, The Trust is now legally empowered to enter into legally-binding ‘conservation covenants’ with landowners and developers, ensuring the long-term protection of land for nature conservation.
The Trust's role includes establishing covenants which specify habitat improvements required to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). In addition, the Trust will monitor restoration efforts to ensure compliance with these agreements and enforce the terms if any breaches occur.
Conservation covenants are instrumental in helping deliver BNG, a policy which requires developers to leave the natural world in a better state than it was prior to their development being built. The policy mandates that almost all developments must result in a minimum 10% increase in natural habitat, which can be delivered within the development itself or on land elsewhere.
By securing legally binding agreements, the Trust can ensure that conservation measures remain in place for generations to come, helping to reverse habitat loss and protect biodiversity.
Debbie Tann MBE, Chief Executive at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: "Becoming a Responsible Body is a significant step forward for the Trust and for nature conservation. It means we can work directly with landowners and developers to secure legally binding commitments that protect and restore habitats in the long term. With nature recovery an urgent priority in this time of crisis, conservation covenants provide a powerful tool to ensure meaningful, lasting conservation outcomes.
“This aligns closely with our Wilder 2030 strategy, which aims to create more space for wildlife and to support and empower people to take action for nature. We look forward to collaborating with partners to create a resilient and thriving natural environment for future generations."
Conservation covenants offer a faster, more flexible alternative to traditional planning agreements, allowing landowners to protect sites for nature without transferring ownership. Crucially, these commitments are legally binding on all future landowners, ensuring conservation efforts remain in place regardless of changes in ownership or land use.
With nature in crisis and the government’s legally binding target to halt species decline by 2030, the covenants ensure that conservation efforts are embedded within the planning and development system, supporting a greener, more sustainable future for the UK. The Trust’s Wilder 2030 strategy underpins this approach, aiming to restore natural habitats, increase biodiversity, and inspire people to take action for wildlife.
The designation also strengthens the Trust’s ability to work strategically with local authorities, businesses, and other partners to create a network of protected and restored habitats.
John Durnell, Managing Director of Arcadian Ecology & Consulting Limited and Director of Nature-Based Solutions at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We are proud that Arcadian Ecology & Consulting has been recognised by Defra as a Responsible Body. This designation gives us the ability to secure meaningful, long-term conservation outcomes in collaboration with landowners and developers.
“Conservation covenants offer a practical and robust mechanism for delivering Biodiversity Net Gain, and we’re excited to play a continued direct role in ensuring that nature recovery is embedded into land management and planning decisions across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Arcadian Ecology & Consulting welcomes enquiries from landowners and developers who wish to explore conservation covenants as a means of protecting and enhancing biodiversity.
To enquire about working with the Trust or Arcadian Ecology & Consulting as a Responsible Body please visit here.
Find out more about environmental credit provisions for Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality to mitigate for the impact on developments in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight here.
