Croydon LPA BNG

Expert support for Biodiversity Net Gain in Croydon LPA. BNG assessments, habitat mapping & access to local BNG units.

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Biodiversity Net Gain in Croydon LPA Local Planning Authority

West Berkshire, located in South East England, is a predominantly rural Local Planning Authority (LPA) known for its diverse natural environment and rich ecological heritage. Covering an area of approximately 704 square kilometres, the district includes a range of urban centres and rural settlements, with Newbury serving as the principal town. Other significant towns and villages within the LPA include Thatcham, Hungerford, Pangbourne, and Theale, each contributing to the area's distinctive landscape character and biodiversity value.

As part of its commitment to sustainable development, West Berkshire Council actively supports the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in line with the Environment Act 2021. Developers working within the LPA are required to deliver a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity value for most developments, secured through habitat creation, enhancement, or approved off-site units.

West Berkshire encompasses several National Character Areas (NCAs), notably the North Wessex Downs and Thames Basin Heaths, each influencing the typical habitat types found in the region. These include ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands, river valleys, lowland mixed deciduous woodlands, and floodplain meadows—many of which are priority habitats under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. This ecological diversity presents both opportunities and constraints for BNG delivery, requiring careful ecological assessment and strategic planning.

For developers, landowners, and planners operating within West Berkshire, understanding the LPA’s landscape, habitat distribution, and regional policy context is critical to meeting BNG obligations. Our team provides tailored support through BNG assessments, habitat mapping, and access to verified local BNG units and schemes.

To learn more about BNG opportunities in this area, contact us or register to be notified when local schemes become available.

Croydon, located in South London, is a large and varied borough that includes a dense urban centre, suburban neighbourhoods, and rural green belt land to the south. Spanning approximately 87 square kilometres, the borough encompasses key areas such as Croydon, Purley, Coulsdon, and South Norwood. Croydon is rich in natural assets, including ancient woodland, chalk grassland, and over 120 parks and open spaces that support a diverse range of species.

Aligned with the Environment Act 2021, Croydon Council requires most development proposals to deliver a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This can be achieved through on-site enhancements, the use of off-site biodiversity units, or contributions to borough-wide ecological improvement strategies.

Croydon lies within the North Downs and Thames Basin Lowlands National Character Area. Its southern rural zone features chalk escarpments and historic farmland, while the northern areas are more urban, with streams, parklands, and brownfield sites offering varied ecological opportunities.

The borough’s contrasting landscapes provide numerous opportunities for BNG—from enhancing woodland edges and meadow habitats in green belt areas, to integrating green roofs, rain gardens, and street trees in urban redevelopments.

For developers, landowners, and planning professionals working in Croydon, understanding the borough’s habitats, ecological sensitivities, and BNG planning policy is vital. Our team offers comprehensive support including metric assessments, ecological surveys, and guidance on both on-site and off-site delivery options.

To learn more or receive updates about BNG units and schemes in the area, get in touch with us.

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Habitats in Croydon LPA Local Planning Authority

West Berkshire’s landscape is shaped predominantly by the North Wessex Downs National Character Area (NCA 116), a chalk downland landscape of international ecological importance, and partly by the Thames Basin Heaths (NCA 129). These NCAs support a rich mosaic of habitats, many of which are priority habitats under BNG classifications and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

Grassland Habitats
Lowland calcareous grassland dominates the chalk ridge areas, supporting diverse plant species like orchids and wild thyme.
Lowland meadows are scattered along the Kennet Valley and floodplain, offering high biodiversity value, particularly for invertebrates and ground-nesting birds.
Areas of modified grassland are common in improved pastures and paddocks, but these hold lower BNG value unless enhanced.
In some acidic soils, lowland dry acid grassland and other lowland acid grassland can be found, especially on sandy substrates and heathland edges.

Woodland and Forest Habitats
The LPA contains extensive lowland mixed deciduous woodland, particularly on the clay-with-flints plateau and valley slopes, providing habitat for bats, dormice, and woodland birds.
Veteran trees and old estates feature wood-pasture and parkland, a rare and highly valued BNG habitat.
Areas of wet woodland, often associated with river valleys, add to the ecological complexity.

Heathland and Shrub
On the fringes of the Thames Basin Heaths, lowland heathland and mixed scrub are present, though often fragmented, supporting heathland birds like nightjar and Dartford warbler.

Wetland and Watercourse Habitats
The River Kennet, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), provides priority river habitats and supports adjacent floodplain wetland mosaics.
Smaller ponds, reedbeds, and ditches are scattered across the landscape, particularly in floodplain areas.

Cropland Habitats
Much of West Berkshire’s agricultural land is under cereal crops or temporary grass and clover leys, but there is increasing scope to integrate arable field margins for biodiversity gain.

Hedgerows and Linear Features
The rural landscape is strongly characterised by native species-rich hedgerows, often associated with ditches and banks, which function as critical wildlife corridors under BNG classification.

Croydon’s biodiversity is supported by its natural topography, open spaces, and a mix of urban and rural habitat types, many of which are included under the BNG framework.

Grassland Habitats

Chalk Grassland: Found on the North Downs near Coulsdon and Farthing Downs, supporting orchids and butterflies.

Neutral Grassland: Occurs in parks and meadows, offering potential for species-rich enhancement.

Amenity Grassland: Widespread across residential areas, with opportunities for wildflower conversion.

Woodland and Forest Habitats

Ancient Woodland: Found in locations such as Croham Hurst and Coombe Wood, providing habitat for bats, birds, and invertebrates.

Broadleaved Woodland: Located in parks and green corridors, important for nesting and foraging wildlife.

Secondary Woodland and Scrub: Occurs in transitional or unmanaged sites, contributing to ecological structure.

Wetland and Watercourse Habitats

Rivers and Streams: The River Wandle, Norbury Brook, and other tributaries offer riparian habitat and green corridors.

Ponds and Wetlands: Found in parks and nature reserves, supporting amphibians, dragonflies, and wetland plants.

SuDS and Wet Features: Integrated into new developments to support biodiversity and water management.

Urban and Built Habitats

Green Roofs and Living Walls: Increasingly adopted in town centre developments for ecological and climate resilience.

Brownfield Land: Offers habitat for pioneer species and invertebrates, particularly in redevelopment zones.

Gardens and Allotments: Provide refuge and resources for urban wildlife, particularly pollinators and small mammals.

Hedgerows and Linear Features

Species-Rich Hedgerows: Found in rural areas and along historic field boundaries, supporting birds and invertebrates.

Street Trees and Green Corridors: Vital for habitat connectivity across the borough’s urban core.

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Croydon LPA BNG Planning

For BNG delivery in West Berkshire, high and very high distinctiveness habitats such as lowland calcareous grassland, lowland meadows, wood-pasture, and priority rivers are particularly important to protect and enhance. Restoration or creation of such habitats provides the highest biodiversity uplift but also carries stricter requirements under the BNG metric.

Conversely, improving lower distinctiveness habitats, such as modified grassland or cropland through buffer planting, hedgerow enhancement, or field margin creation, offers practical options for on-site or local BNG contributions.

High and very high distinctiveness habitats—such as chalk grassland, ancient woodland, rivers, and ponds—are key priorities for meaningful BNG in Croydon. These habitats may require specific conservation strategies and long-term management.

Lower distinctiveness habitats like amenity grassland and urban edges can be enhanced through species-rich planting, green infrastructure, and ecological design, offering more flexible options for on-site delivery.

Towns & Cities

Croydon

Purley

Coulsdon

South Norwood

Thornton Heath

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Habitats

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