National Grid has partnered with nature restoration company Nattergal to deliver biodiversity net gain for the North London Reinforcement (NLR) project.
The NLR project will upgrade the high-voltage electricity transmission network across north and central London, replacing infrastructure built in the 1960s to allow more home-grown electricity onto the network. The scheme forms part of the Great Grid Upgrade.
With no land available for on-site biodiversity net gain (BNG) delivery, National Grid sought an offsite solution to meet its commitment to at least 10% biodiversity uplift across construction projects, in line with its Environmental Action Plan.
Nattergal will deliver the BNG units through its rewilding site at Harold’s Park Wildland in Essex, a 206-hectare site creating 850 BNG units.
The project marks the first Great Grid Upgrade scheme to secure offsite BNG units. Harold’s Park Wildland already contains ancient woodland, ponds, and veteran trees. National Grid’s investment will support plans to enhance these features, establish new habitats, and reconnect fragmented areas to aid species recovery and ecological resilience.
Kat Stanhope, strategic BNG manager at National Grid, said: “By investing in Harold’s Park Wildland, we are securing London’s energy future while also helping to restore habitats, support biodiversity, and create lasting environmental improvements that will benefit both Nature and communities for generations to come.
“With no space for on-site BNG delivery, we chose to partner with Nattergal due to Harold’s Park Wildland’s proximity to the substations while ensuring that our biodiversity net gain delivers the greatest value.”
Claire Traynor, chief commercial officer of Nattergal, said: “Our partnership with National Grid is a powerful example of how national infrastructure development and nature recovery can go hand in hand. We are proud to be delivering off-site biodiversity gains for the North London Reinforcement project, and creating a path for how nationally significant infrastructure projects can contribute to meaningful and long-term National biodiversity goals.”
Image credit: Lisa-S/Shutterstock
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