Exeter LPA BNG

Discover key habitats, BNG requirements, and planning guidance for developers in Exeter LPA Local Planning Authority.

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Biodiversity Net Gain in Exeter 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.

Exeter, the county capital of Devon, is a compact but growing city situated on the River Exe in South West England. Covering approximately 47 square kilometres, Exeter blends historic urban fabric with green infrastructure, river corridors, parks, and nearby countryside. Though predominantly urban, the city includes important natural features such as the Valley Parks, the River Exe floodplain, and adjacent Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

In line with the Environment Act 2021, Exeter City Council requires most development proposals to achieve a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Urban BNG is typically delivered through enhancements to parks, green roofs, SuDS features, and the integration of biodiversity-friendly landscaping. Off-site delivery may also be supported through partnerships with regional habitat banks and green infrastructure projects.

Exeter falls within National Character Area Devon Redlands, defined by its red soils, river valleys, and historic farmland patterns. While much of the district is built up, key ecological assets include the River Exe and its floodplain, urban woodlands, and a network of parks and allotments. The city is also adjacent to designated areas such as the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site, which supports large numbers of overwintering birds.

Delivering BNG in Exeter often involves creative use of space, multifunctional design, and strategic enhancements to existing urban green infrastructure.

We provide BNG services in Exeter, including baseline surveys, metric assessments, habitat design, and guidance on integrating biodiversity into urban developments.

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Habitats in Exeter 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.

Exeter supports a diverse range of urban and semi-natural habitats suitable for BNG delivery, despite its compact footprint.

Urban Green Infrastructure

Modified and Amenity Grassland: Widespread in parks and roadside verges; suitable for enhancement through reduced mowing and wildflower planting.

Urban Woodland and Trees: Found in Valley Parks and streetscapes; valuable for urban wildlife, including birds and bats.

Green Roofs and Living Walls: Increasingly important in high-density areas with limited ground space.

Wetland and Watercourse Habitats

River Exe and Floodplain: The River Exe and its tributaries form a major ecological corridor, supporting otters, kingfishers, and fish species.

Floodplain Grassland and Reedbeds: Occur along the river corridor; important for wetland flora and fauna.

Urban Ponds and SuDS Features: Provide habitat for amphibians and insects, while supporting water management.

Grassland and Meadow Habitats

Species-Rich Grassland: Found in areas such as Ludwell and Mincinglake Valley Parks; support pollinators and wildflowers.

Improved and Modified Grassland: Common in managed landscapes; can be transformed through habitat creation measures.

Woodland and Linear Features

Lowland Mixed Woodland: Present in urban fringe woodlands and older parklands.

Hedgerows and Green Corridors: Support species movement through urban environments, particularly when linked to cycle routes and waterways.

Brownfield and Transitional Habitats

Vacant and Regenerating Sites: Often support pioneer species and invertebrate-rich habitats with significant BNG potential.

Railway Embankments and Undeveloped Land: Linear and semi-natural spaces that can act as habitat corridors.

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Exeter 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.

While high distinctiveness habitats are less widespread in the urban core, riparian corridors and Valley Park habitats—such as reedbeds, floodplain grasslands, and wet woodlands—are ecologically valuable and require protection.

BNG delivery in Exeter is often achieved through urban enhancements, including wildflower meadow creation, tree planting, green roofs, hedgerows, and SuDS ponds. These also contribute to wider goals such as climate resilience, flood mitigation, and public amenity.

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