Stockton-on-Tees LPA BNG
Discover key habitats, BNG requirements, and planning guidance for developers in Stockton-on-Tees LPA Local Planning Authority.
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Biodiversity Net Gain in Stockton-on-Tees LPA Local Planning Authority
Stockton-on-Tees, located in North East England, is a unitary authority encompassing a mix of urban, rural, and industrial landscapes. Covering approximately 204 square kilometres, the borough is centred around the River Tees and includes major settlements such as Stockton, Billingham, Thornaby, Yarm, and Norton. These towns and villages are interspersed with green infrastructure, agricultural land, and a network of watercourses and nature reserves that define the borough’s ecological character.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council supports the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in accordance with the Environment Act 2021. Developers are required to achieve a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity value for most developments, which can be secured through habitat creation, enhancement, or delivery via approved off-site units.
The borough spans a key National Character Area (NCA), the Tees Lowlands. This NCA influences the borough’s typical habitats, including floodplain wetlands, lowland mixed deciduous woodlands, urban green spaces, and reclaimed brownfield sites with emerging successional habitats. Several of these habitats are recognised as priorities under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
The varied land use and ecological features of Stockton-on-Tees present both opportunities and constraints for BNG delivery. Strategic ecological assessments, long-term management plans, and an understanding of habitat distinctiveness are essential for successful BNG integration within the planning process.
For developers, landowners, and planners working within Stockton-on-Tees, understanding the LPA’s diverse habitat network and local green infrastructure is critical to meeting BNG obligations. Our team provides support through BNG metric calculations, habitat baseline surveys, and access to verified local BNG units.
To learn more about BNG opportunities in this area, contact us or register to be notified when local schemes become available.
Habitats in Stockton-on-Tees LPA Local Planning Authority
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Stockton-on-Tees’s landscape is shaped by the Tees Lowlands and associated floodplains, which contribute a wide range of habitats relevant to BNG planning.
Grassland Habitats
Improved grassland is widespread across agricultural fields and urban fringes, offering low distinctiveness unless enhanced.
Neutral and marshy grassland can be found in wet lowland areas, particularly within nature reserves and floodplains.
Species-poor semi-improved grassland is present on reclaimed land and old pastures with limited floristic diversity.
Woodland and Forest Habitats
Lowland mixed deciduous woodland occurs along river valleys and in ancient woodland fragments, supporting a variety of birds, bats, and invertebrates.
Wet woodland, typically dominated by willow and alder, is found in flood-prone zones such as Billingham Beck and the River Leven corridor.
Shrub and Scrub Habitats
Scrub and bracken mosaics are common on brownfield sites and post-industrial land, often forming transitional zones with grassland or woodland.
These areas support early-successional species and are valuable for invertebrates.
Wetland and Watercourse Habitats
The River Tees, a defining feature of the borough, provides priority river habitats, supporting otters, salmon, and riparian plant species.
Reedbeds, wet grassland, and ponds occur in nature reserves like Bowesfield Marsh and Tees Heritage Park.
Drainage ditches and wet flushes contribute to small-scale habitat mosaics across the agricultural landscape.
Cropland Habitats
Arable farming is common throughout the borough, especially east of Billingham and near Yarm.
Opportunities exist for arable field margins, beetle banks, and cover crops to contribute to BNG.
Hedgerows and Linear Features
Species-poor hawthorn-dominated hedgerows are widespread but offer potential for enhancement through species diversification and buffer planting.
Urban green corridors, including railway lines and cycle routes, function as habitat links.
Stockton-on-Tees LPA BNG Planning
For BNG delivery in Stockton-on-Tees, high and very high distinctiveness habitats such as wet woodland, priority rivers, and reedbeds are particularly important to conserve and enhance. These habitats deliver the greatest biodiversity uplift, but their restoration or creation requires detailed ecological planning and monitoring.
Conversely, improving low to moderate distinctiveness habitats—such as improved grassland, arable farmland, or urban greenspace—offers cost-effective and practical opportunities for BNG compliance. Enhancements may include wildflower sowing, creation of wetland features, or hedgerow diversification. Opportunities also exist on brownfield sites and in green infrastructure networks, where multifunctional habitat creation can support both biodiversity and urban resilience goals.
Stockton-on-Tees
Thornaby-on-Tees
Billingham
Norton-on-Tees
Ingleby Barwick
Yarm
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