Greenshank in the News: Q2 2026

The second quarter of 2026 was dominated by Stodmarsh. Natural England's approval of the scheme, which could unlock up to 5,000 stalled homes around Canterbury and Ashford, ran from the property and construction trade press through to Kent's local papers. Coverage of new habitat banks continued alongside it, and Greenshank's appointment of an NSIP lead reached the planning and business press.

Stodmarsh, Kent: Natural England Approval Unlocks Up to 5,000 Homes

For years, housebuilding around Canterbury and Ashford has been held back by nutrient pollution reaching the protected Stodmarsh wetlands. In April, Natural England approved the Stodmarsh Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, developed by Greenshank with Dace Environmental. It reshapes farmland watercourses in the River Stour catchment into wetland-rich channels that strip out nitrogen and phosphorus before they reach the reserve. Ashford Borough Council has completed a strategic appropriate assessment for the scheme, and the mitigation is legally secured through a conservation covenant. Karen Dunn of Barratt David Wilson said the partnership would bring forward the final phases of the Saxon Fields development in Canterbury, held in planning for more than three years.

• Property Week: Greenshank wins approval for nutrient neutrality scheme set to unlock up to 5,000 homes (news, April 2026)
• The Construction Index: Natural England go-ahead for nutrients scheme (news, April 2026)
• Sustainable Construction Now: Natural England go-ahead for nutrients scheme (news, April 2026)
• geomechanics.io: Natural England nutrients scheme: design implications for Stodmarsh drainage teams (analysis, April 2026)
• Showhouse: Approval granted for nutrient neutrality scheme unlocking 5,000 homes in Kent (news, April 2026)
• Insite: Stodmarsh approval opens route for Kent housing pipeline (analysis, April 2026)
• Ashford Borough Council: Scheme approved to unlock up to 5,000 stalled homes across Ashford and Canterbury (council news, April 2026)
• ENDS Report: Nutrient neutrality: Thousands of homes unblocked after 7-year logjam (news, May 2026, paywalled)
• Kent Online: Breakthrough in protection of Stodmarsh Nature Reserve near Canterbury could allow thousands more new homes to be built (regional news, May 2026)
• Kentish Gazette: Breakthrough means work could finally start on 5,000 homes (local news, online and in print, May 2026)
• South East Farmer: Unlocking new income from nutrient neutrality (feature, online and in print, May 2026)
• Kent Online: Footage shows how east Kent countryside is being transformed to kick-start housebuilding in Canterbury and Ashford (regional news and video, June 2026)

Blackbarn Farm, Hampshire: 7,000 Trees and a Walnut Harvest

The Glover family has farmed the chalk downland at Blackbarn Farm, near Grateley, for more than eighty years. Their Test Valley BNG Scheme will plant nearly 7,000 trees, mostly English walnut alongside cherry, plum and apple, over species-rich wildflower grassland and new native hedgerows, secured for 30 years. The walnuts supply the Glovers' own business, The Cracked Nut Company. The story ran in the Hampshire and Wiltshire press and was picked up nationally online.

• Andover Advertiser: Blackbarn Farm in Hampshire to see 7,000 trees planted (local news, May 2026)
• Salisbury Journal: Blackbarn Farm in Hampshire to see 7,000 trees planted (local news, May 2026)
• Yahoo News: Family farm to plant thousands of trees to boost wildlife (syndicated news, May 2026)
• MSN News: Family farm to plant thousands of trees to boost wildlife (syndicated news, May 2026)

Shen Neville-Clarke Joins to Lead Greenshank's NSIP Work

Shen Neville-Clarke joined Greenshank as NSIPs & Major Projects Director, leading its work on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, where biodiversity net gain is set to become mandatory. The appointment was covered by the planning and business press.

• The Planner: Greenshank appoints NSIP lead (news, May 2026)
• BDaily: Greenshank appoints NSIPs director (business news, May 2026)

Newbridge Pool, Cheshire: Ancient Woodland Gets a Boost

The Northwich Guardian covered the launch of the Davenham Habitat Bank, which restores and extends ancient woodland in the Weaver Valley around Newbridge Pool and adds hay meadow, ponds and orchard.

• Northwich Guardian: Ancient woodland gets boost amid Newbridge Pool restoration (local news, May 2026)

Comment and Opinion

Kim Connor-Streich wrote for Development Finance Today, read by developers, lenders and brokers, on whether the government's new Environmental Delivery Plans will solve nutrient neutrality for housebuilders.

• Development Finance Today: Are Environmental Delivery Plans going to solve nutrient neutrality for housebuilders? (opinion, May 2026)

Press Enquiries

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