Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “Hampshire is home to beautiful landscapes and exceptional wildlife. We have a responsibility to protect and improve our countryside so that future generations can enjoy it as we do today.
“The County Council already looks after woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, country parks and countryside sites across Hampshire. This initiative gives us an opportunity to identify where more of our land could be used to create and improve habitats, supporting Hampshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
“It also opens up the opportunity to sell Biodiversity Net Gain credits, raising funding to help us protect and enhance our countryside. This could help us do more for nature while making the best use of the County Council’s land and estate.
“We want to deliver lasting benefits for Hampshire’s wildlife and communities. Every proposal will be carefully assessed to ensure it is suitable for the land and delivers clear benefits for the county.”
Individual future proposals for habitat banking will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with thorough land, environmental, operational and financial assessments carried out before any decisions are made.