St. Helens LPA BNG
Discover key habitats, BNG requirements, and planning guidance for developers in St. Helens LPA Local Planning Authority.
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Biodiversity Net Gain in St. Helens LPA Local Planning Authority
St. Helens, situated in Merseyside in North West England, is a Local Planning Authority covering approximately 137 square kilometres. The borough combines urban areas with significant green spaces and remnant natural habitats. St. Helens town is the main urban centre, supported by several smaller communities such as Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows.
St. Helens Council supports sustainable development and is committed to implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in accordance with the Environment Act 2021. Most developments within the borough are required to achieve a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity through habitat creation, enhancement, or approved off-site compensation.
The LPA lies within the Lancashire and Amounderness Plain National Character Area and includes parts of the Mersey Valley, influencing a mix of habitat types including woodlands, wetlands, and farmland. Many of these habitats are priority under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and BNG metrics, reflecting St. Helens’ ecological significance.
Understanding the local landscape, habitat distribution, and policy context is essential for developers, planners, and landowners to meet BNG requirements effectively. Support is available through ecological assessments, habitat mapping, and access to local BNG schemes.
Habitats in St. Helens LPA Local Planning Authority
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St. Helens hosts a variety of habitats important for biodiversity:
Grassland Habitats
Improved grasslands dominate rural parts, with some areas of species-rich grassland offering higher biodiversity value.
Pockets of lowland meadows occur along river valleys and less intensive agricultural land.
Woodland and Forest Habitats
The borough contains substantial areas of ancient and secondary woodland, including broadleaf deciduous woods supporting diverse fauna such as bats and woodland birds.
Veteran trees and wood-pasture landscapes provide additional high-value habitats.
Wetland and Watercourse Habitats
Wetlands associated with river corridors such as the Sankey Brook and the St. Helens Canal offer priority habitats for aquatic plants, invertebrates, and waterfowl.
Small ponds, reedbeds, and wet woodland fragments add to the borough’s ecological diversity.
Cropland Habitats
Arable fields and mixed farmland predominate in rural areas, with scope to enhance biodiversity via field margins and hedgerow improvements.
Hedgerows and Linear Features
Species-rich hedgerows are common and serve as vital wildlife corridors, linking fragmented habitats across the borough.
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