South Hams LPA BNG

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

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Biodiversity Net Gain in South Hams 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.

South Hams, located in South Devon, is a predominantly rural district known for its dramatic coastline, rolling farmland, estuaries, and historic market towns. Covering approximately 900 square kilometres, the area includes Totnes, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge, and Dartmouth. Large parts of the district lie within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and it shares a boundary with Dartmoor National Park.

In line with the Environment Act 2021, South Hams District Council requires most new developments to deliver at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). BNG can be achieved through on-site habitat creation or enhancement, off-site biodiversity units, or through habitat banks and local nature recovery strategies.

The district lies across two National Character Areas, South Devon and Dartmoor. It features high-value ecological landscapes such as coastal grasslands, estuarine mudflats, ancient woodlands, and species-rich farmland. The area is home to important bat populations, including the Greater Horseshoe Bat, which is a key consideration in local planning.

BNG delivery in South Hams must carefully consider protected species, designated sites, and the sensitive landscape character. Strategic BNG planning often involves enhancing farmland, buffering woodland, and improving ecological connectivity across river valleys and along the coast.

Our team provides end-to-end BNG services in South Hams, including baseline surveys, metric assessments, habitat creation plans, and sourcing of local biodiversity units.

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Habitats in South Hams 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.

South Hams supports a diverse mix of terrestrial, coastal, and wetland habitats, many of which are recognised under national and local biodiversity priorities.

Coastal and Estuarine Habitats

Maritime Cliff and Coastal Grassland: Found along the coast between Salcombe and Start Point; support specialist plant communities and seabirds.

Estuaries and Mudflats: Including parts of the Dart and Avon Estuaries; important for waders, wildfowl, and marine invertebrates.

Saltmarsh and Coastal Grazing Marsh: Contribute to flood management and biodiversity, especially in low-lying coastal zones.

Woodland and Scrub Habitats

Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland: Widespread in valleys and on estate lands; key habitat for bats and woodland birds.

Ancient Woodland and Wet Woodland: Present in sheltered valleys and along river corridors.

Scrub and Hedgerow Networks: Provide vital nesting and foraging sites, especially for protected bat species.

Grassland Habitats

Lowland Meadows and Species-Rich Pasture: High-value habitats found in traditional farmland and AONB locations.

Modified Grassland: Common on improved farmland and public greenspaces; offers BNG potential through sensitive management.

Wetland and Watercourse Habitats

Rivers and Streams: The Rivers Dart, Avon, and Erme flow through the district; serve as ecological corridors for fish, otters, and aquatic invertebrates.

Ponds and Springs: Occur across rural landscapes, often linked to farmland biodiversity.

Cropland and Farmland Habitats

Arable Land and Leys: Present throughout inland South Hams; enhancement opportunities include field margins, cover crops, and hedgerow planting.

Devon Banks and Species-Rich Hedgerows: Defining features of the landscape; crucial for bats, birds, and pollinators.

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South Hams 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 distinctiveness habitats—such as ancient woodland, estuarine habitats, and coastal grassland—are priorities for protection under BNG and require careful design and compensation if impacted.

Lower and moderate distinctiveness habitats, including improved grassland and arable land, offer practical BNG opportunities through enhancement measures like wildflower sowing, hedgerow planting, and pond creation.

South Hams is also one of the few areas with formal bat consultation zones, particularly for the Greater Horseshoe Bat, meaning that species-specific planning guidance applies to many developments.

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