Cheshire West and Chester BNG Scheme

The woodland forms part of the Weaver Valley/Newbridge Pool Local Wildlife Site, which includes Newbridge Wood Ancient Woodland. The bank also connects into a wider network of woodlands, marshy grassland and river habitats along the River Weaver. 

Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland is present across the site, and three woodland blocks (W2, W3 and W4) are identified as Ancient Woodland known as Eaton Bank Wood, an Irreplaceable Habitat. Woodland species include English oak, ash, silver birch, alder and crack willow, alongside ancient woodland indicator species including spindle and wood sedge. 

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Species Opportunity: White-letter Hairstreak and Local Bat Records

The site has onsite records of White-letter Hairstreak butterflies (endangered), and elm species (including resistant cultivars) are incorporated into habitats to safeguard this species given wider declines linked to Dutch elm disease. 

Protected and notable species records in the local area include bats such as common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Daubenton’s bat and noctule, with suitable habitat on site for foraging, commuting and roosting.

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Land Management and Long-Term Delivery

This is a long-term scheme commitment from its owners, designed to support public engagement and nature recovery, and aligned with emerging priorities in the Cheshire & Warrington Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). 

The management plan covers 2025–2055 (update in 2030). During establishment (years 1–5), monitoring reports are submitted annually, reducing to every five years thereafter. 

The plan’s stated aim is to create a mosaic of habitats, grassland, scrub, ponds and woodland, increasing wildlife opportunities within a well-connected landscape.