Millview Meadows, Ringmer: A Community and Conservation Success Story

In 2024, Croudace Homes began the creation of Millview Meadows in Lewes, East Sussex. Made up of around 100 homes, outdoor play areas and wide green spaces, this site did not have an easy journey to planning approval.

Overcoming Initial Planning Hurdles

In order to offset impacts to the existing environment, Croudace required specific habitat types, including scrub, wildflower meadow, and high distinctiveness hedgerow units. Working with local landowners Carola and Matthew Godwin, BNG Partnership created Ote Hall Habitat Bank, tailored to the needs of Millview Meadows and a match to many subsequent developments in the Lewes area.

When the Local Planning Authority initially rejected the planning application, BNG Partnership provided a statement of intent and a Biodiversity Gain Plan. These documents demonstrated that new habitats were being actively created to offset any potential environmental impact and helped the site get approval via an appeal. Following the signing of the Section 106 agreement by Lewes Council on the Ote Hall offset site, the site was officially registered on the Biodiversity Gain Site register. BNG Partnership then confirmed and allocated 6.5 biodiversity units to Millview Meadows, enabling Croudace to satisfy their planning conditions.

Rooted in Local Community and Partnership

Choosing to work with BNG Partnership offered Croudace the advantage of local proximity and visible impact to the local environment. This partnership supported a local business initiative, Ote Hall’s farm shop, which will soon provide a new service to Millview Meadows residents once the build is complete.

As Croudace noted regarding the collaboration:

"Working with BNG Partnership gave us the clarityand support we needed to move our project forward with confidence."

Bringing Nature Onsite at Millview Meadows

Alongside the offsite units, Croudace incorporated a wide range of biodiversity measures directly into the onsite design of Millview Meadows.

• Greenery and Water: Mature trees and existing hedgerows were preserved wherever feasible to protect local wildlife populations like birds and bats. New trees were planted and current hedgerows enhanced to provide a natural border around the neighbourhood. Additionally, a new wildlife pond featuring native aquatic plants was established in the northwest corner.‍
• Wildflowers and Habitats: New meadow spaces with rich native flora are being cultivated to support pollinators such as bees and butterflies, alongside supplementary areas of grassland
• Creature Comforts: Specialised infrastructure was integrated throughout the site, including bird and bat boxes, swift bricks, sparrow terraces, log piles, and hibernacula for amphibians and reptiles. Specialised fencing was also installed to ensure hedgehogs have safe passage across the area.

This comprehensive approach delivered a balanced solutions supporting both local housing needs and the natural ecosystem.

A New Habitat Bank for Lewes

Our approach has always been demand-driven, and establishing this new habitat bank was a direct response to matching Croudace's specific requirements. By tailoring our planting to mirror the exact ecological profile needed for Millview Meadows, we created a dedicated environmental asset that supports the wider Lewes region.

We collaborate with developers requiring high volume units for residential, commercial, or Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) to design a custom habitat bank. This ensures the right planting in the right place, backed by best-in-class monitoring and oversight to meet all planning and conservation goals.

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