By securing the long-term protection of land in Staffordshire through a groundbreaking legal tool—a Conservation Covenant—the Trust has become the first Wildlife Trust in the UK to unlock a new era of nature recovery. The conservation covenant is being used to help meet Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) planning rules that require developers to leave nature in a better condition than it was before they started building. 

The Trust’s first covenant site, located at Chillington Hall in South Staffordshire, has transformed 79 acres of former turf fields into a thriving mosaic of species-rich grassland and regenerating scrub—a haven for pollinators, birds, and small mammals.

This landmark agreement ensures that vital habitats will be safeguarded for at least 30 years, setting a powerful precedent for how land can be managed for wildlife, climate resilience, and the future.

“This is a game-changer for biodiversity in Staffordshire,” says Julian Woolford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. “We’re creating wildlife-rich habitats that will last for generations.”

The Chillington site is already buzzing with life—from ox-eye daisies and meadow vetch to bumblebees, hoverflies, and butterflies. 

Over the next three decades, the site is expected to deliver not only biodiversity gains but also improved soil health, water retention, and carbon storage — proving that nature restoration benefits both wildlife and the wider environment.

With robust ecological planning, adaptive management, and landowner collaboration, this initiative sets a gold standard for Biodiversity Net Gain—and paves the way for more sites to follow. The conservation covenant ensures Chillington is legally protected and regularly monitored for 30 years, even if ownership changes. It’s a key step toward the Trust’s goal of managing 30% of Staffordshire’s land for nature by 2030.