Manchester LPA BNG

Manchester’s habitat profile reflects its heavily urbanised nature, with important remnants of semi-natural habitats and extensive managed greenspaces.

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Urban Greenspace and Parkland

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Public parks, cemeteries, and recreational areas with managed grasslands, scattered trees, and shrubbery support urban biodiversity.

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Mature trees and veteran trees in these areas provide habitat for birds and invertebrates.

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Woodland Habitats

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Pockets of lowland mixed deciduous woodland are found in larger parks and along river corridors.

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Secondary woodlands and scrub establish on vacant lots and brownfield sites.

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Grassland Habitats

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Amenity grassland predominates, with some areas of improved grassland and urban wildflower meadows being promoted for biodiversity enhancement.

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Wetland and Watercourse Habitats

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The River Irwell, River Medlock, and their tributaries flow through the city, providing riverine habitats and corridors for wildlife movement.

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Urban ponds, wetlands, and reedbeds within parks and floodplain areas support diverse aquatic species.

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Brownfield and Post-industrial Habitats

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Vacant industrial land and disused railway corridors often host early successional habitats and open mosaic habitat of ecological interest.

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Hedgerows and Linear Features

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Hedgerows are limited but present in suburban fringes and along canal corridors, functioning as wildlife corridors.