Natural Capital
Three interlocking programmes — woodland creation, biodiversity net gain, and agri-environment stewardship — embedded across the entire holding.
England Woodland Creation Offer
Under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), Stenbury Manor Farm has planted over three hectares of traditional English broadleaf woodland in the past three years. Planting has been positioned to extend existing areas of ancient woodland wherever possible, maximising ecological connectivity and long-term biodiversity gain.
Tree species have been selected for their suitability to the Island's freely-draining, slightly acidic soils and their value to local wildlife — particularly the Red Squirrel, Hazel Dormouse, and the range of farmland birds recorded on and around the holding.
The woodland programme sits alongside our other conservation commitments and is managed as an integrated part of the farm's landscape.
Registered Habitat Bank
Stenbury Manor Farm operates a registered Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitat bank across 26.3 hectares, split across five land parcels. Fully registered on the National Gain Site Register and secured by a Section 106 agreement with Isle of Wight Council for a minimum 30-year term.
The baseline is 26.3 ha of g4 Modified Grassland in Poor Condition. The habitat creation programme transforms this into a mosaic of Other Neutral Grassland, Broadleaf Woodland, Mixed Scrub, Traditional Orchard, and Species-Rich Native Hedgerow — all directly mirroring priorities identified for the Southern Downland NCA.
The bank is operated directly by the landowner with no SPV or lease. Units are contracted with buyers ranging from national listed housebuilders to small regional developers.
Neutral Grassland
Enhanced through hay-cutting, reduced inputs and adaptive native-breed cattle grazing.
Broadleaf Woodland
New planting adjoining existing ancient woodland for maximum connectivity.
Mixed Scrub
Structural transition habitat providing nesting and foraging for farmland birds.
Traditional Orchard
A priority habitat for the IoW National Landscape — restored and created.
Species-Rich Hedgerow
New planting alongside traditional laying and gapping-up of historic hedgerows.
Notable Species
Hazel Dormouse, Red Squirrel, Barn Owl, Adder, Yellowhammer, Sea Eagle nearby.
Sustainable Farming Incentive & Agri-Environment
Stenbury Manor Farm participates in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and wider agri-environment stewardship schemes, delivering a range of conservation actions that complement the EWCO and BNG programmes.
SFI actions focus on traditional, environmentally-sensitive farming practices: late hay cutting to allow wildflower seeding, low input pasture management to encourage botanical diversity, and the adoption of native breed cattle suited to sympathetic grazing of species-rich grassland.
The holding also participates in the Farm in Protected Landscape (FIPL) programme, reflecting its location within the Isle of Wight National Landscape.
These practices are not new to Stenbury — they reflect the way the land has been managed for generations, and are central to the farm's long-term approach to stewardship rather than a response to short-term subsidy incentives.