Hartlepool LPA BNG

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

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Biodiversity Net Gain in Hartlepool 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.

Hartlepool, located on the North Sea coast in North East England, is a unitary authority known for its coastal habitats, urban settlements, and rural hinterlands. Covering approximately 93 square kilometres, the borough includes the main town of Hartlepool and surrounding villages such as Elwick and Greatham, which contribute to its ecological richness and local character.

In alignment with the Environment Act 2021, Hartlepool Borough Council requires most new developments to deliver a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This can be achieved through habitat creation or enhancement on-site, through local off-site units, or by investing in nationally registered BNG credits.

Hartlepool falls within the Tees Lowlands and the Durham Magnesian Limestone Plateau, both of which influence the local habitat types. These include coastal and estuarine environments, magnesian limestone grasslands, and wetland features. Many habitats within the LPA are identified as UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats and are integral to regional ecological networks.

BNG delivery in Hartlepool must take into account its unique coastal and post-industrial landscapes, balancing urban regeneration with habitat protection and enhancement. High-quality baseline assessments and alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies are essential for successful BNG outcomes.

For developers and land managers, understanding Hartlepool’s habitat distribution, planning frameworks, and ecological sensitivities is critical. Our services include habitat surveys, BNG metric calculations, and sourcing verified BNG units for compensation or enhancement projects.

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Habitats in Hartlepool 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.

Hartlepool’s habitat diversity is shaped by the Tees Lowlands (NCA 15) and Durham Magnesian Limestone Plateau (NCA 14), both providing a mix of inland and coastal ecosystems with national biodiversity importance.

Coastal and Estuarine Habitats

Saltmarsh and Mudflats: Found in the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve and estuarine edges, critical for waders and migratory birds.

Sand Dunes: Coastal dunes near Seaton Carew and Crimdon support rare plants and insects.

Maritime Cliffs and Slopes: Present along short coastal stretches, offering nesting habitats for seabirds.

Grassland Habitats

Magnesian Limestone Grassland: A rare priority habitat supporting orchids, butterflies, and limestone flora.

Improved/Modified Grassland: Widespread in urban fringe and rural areas, often candidates for enhancement.

Wetland and Water Habitats

Reedbeds and Grazing Marsh: Occur around Greatham Creek and inland floodplains, supporting amphibians and wetland birds.

Ponds and Ditches: Scattered across farmland and former industrial sites, valuable for invertebrates and water voles.

Woodland and Shrub Habitats

Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland: Found in nature reserves and along stream valleys.

Scrub and Urban Tree Canopy: Provides urban biodiversity benefits and links fragmented habitats.

Cropland and Hedgerows

Arable Land: Common in the rural outskirts, with enhancement opportunities through field margins.

Species-Rich Hedgerows: Found along lanes and field edges, important for connectivity.

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Hartlepool 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.