Redcar and Cleveland LPA BNG
Discover key habitats, BNG requirements, and planning guidance for developers in Redcar and Cleveland LPA Local Planning Authority.
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Biodiversity Net Gain in Redcar and Cleveland LPA Local Planning Authority
Redcar and Cleveland, located in North East England, is a diverse and ecologically significant unitary authority combining industrial heritage with areas of rich natural value. Covering approximately 334 square kilometres, the borough includes a variety of landscapes—coastal, urban, agricultural, and upland fringe. The main settlements include Redcar, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Guisborough, Eston, and Loftus, with swathes of the rural hinterland edging the North York Moors National Park.
As part of its statutory responsibilities under the Environment Act 2021, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council requires most new developments to deliver a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity. This is achieved through the creation or enhancement of habitats either on-site, off-site within the borough, or via a habitat bank or statutory credits, ensuring long-term biodiversity uplift aligned with national policy.
The borough spans several National Character Areas (NCAs), primarily the Tees Lowlands, Cleveland Hills, and parts of the North Yorkshire Moors and Coast. These influence the distribution of habitat types including estuarine wetlands, lowland mixed woodlands, coastal dunes, and upland heath mosaics. The area's complex mix of post-industrial land, agricultural holdings, and sensitive coastal ecosystems presents both opportunities and constraints for BNG delivery.
For planners, developers, and landowners in Redcar and Cleveland, understanding the area’s distinctive habitat profile and ecological sensitivities is essential for successful BNG compliance. Our team supports stakeholders by providing BNG metric calculations, baseline habitat surveys, and access to local offsetting opportunities.
To find out more about available BNG sites and schemes in this LPA, contact us or sign up to receive updates as new local units become available.
Habitats in Redcar and Cleveland LPA Local Planning Authority
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Redcar and Cleveland’s landscape is shaped by a coastal-inland transition zone influenced by three major National Character Areas: the Tees Lowlands, North Yorkshire Moors and Coast, and the Cleveland Hills. These NCAs support a broad array of habitats with varied BNG distinctiveness ratings and restoration potential.
Coastal and Estuarine Habitats
Estuarine mudflats and saltmarsh occur along the River Tees and in the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SSSI, supporting nationally important populations of wading birds.
Coastal dunes and sandy beaches are prominent at South Gare and Redcar, home to rare dune flora and invertebrates.
Rocky shorelines and cliff habitats along Saltburn and Skinningrove provide breeding grounds for seabirds.
Wetland and Watercourse Habitats
Reedbeds, wet flushes, and marshes occur in flood-prone areas and former industrial sites.
The River Tees, Skelton Beck, and associated tributaries offer priority habitat corridors supporting otters and fish species.
Freshwater ponds and scrapes occur in agricultural and post-industrial restoration zones.
Woodland and Scrub
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland is common on ancient boundaries and steeper valley slopes.
Wet woodland of willow and alder occurs in floodplain zones.
Scrub and bracken mosaics populate disused industrial land and moorland fringes.
Grassland and Farmland Habitats
Improved grassland dominates the lowland agricultural areas, with localised patches of neutral grassland of higher value.
Species-poor grassland is found on former colliery spoil and brownfield land with emerging early successional communities.
Cropland (arable cereals and root crops) with potential for arable field margins.
Linear and Urban Features
Hedgerows, often species-poor but with restoration potential, define field boundaries.
Urban greenspaces, such as parks and school grounds, offer potential for habitat creation under BNG.
Brownfield sites, including those undergoing ecological succession, may support pioneer or priority species.
Redcar and Cleveland LPA BNG Planning
High and very high distinctiveness habitats within Redcar and Cleveland—such as saltmarsh, coastal dunes, priority rivers, and ancient woodland—are critical targets for conservation and enhancement under the BNG metric. Restoration or creation of these habitats typically yields the greatest biodiversity uplift but involves complex assessments and long-term management commitments.
Meanwhile, enhancement of low to medium distinctiveness habitats, such as improved grassland, arable fields, or brownfield land, offers cost-effective and achievable routes to deliver BNG. Common approaches include sowing wildflower-rich margins, restoring hedgerows, and introducing wetland features in flood-prone or underused land. Opportunities also exist on urban fringe land for multifunctional green infrastructure that aligns with both biodiversity and recreational objectives.
Redcar
Brotton
Eston
Guisborough
Marske-by-the-Sea
Redcar
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Skelton-in-Cleveland
Kirkleatham
Grangetown
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