LPA: Darlington Borough Council

NCA: Tees Lowlands

Potential

Site

An ambitious and exciting initiative of habitat creation and restoration with the Hall Garth Hotel providing a unique opportunity for house builders and developers seeking off-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) solutions or broader environmental and conservation commitments.

Phase 1

The first phased series of enhancement works have started with willow scrub planting to the southern end of the seasonally wet golf course.

Woodland enhancements are also about to start on the various deciduous woodland stands that are within the Forestry Commission's Social criteria zoning and National Forestry Inventory.

Pond enhancements within Fringe 4 of the Great Crested Newt Strategic Opportunity Areas will provide an excellent localised extension of habitat linking to the nearby isolated Redcar Field SSSI. Later in Spring, grassland enhancements to the fairways and rough will link all the various habitats together and provide a dramatic boost to biodiversity alongside the River Skerne.

Phases 2 & 3

Expansion of similar enhancements, with the final phase planned to encompass a nutrient scheme generating Nutrient Credits, to reduce the nitrates entering the River Skerne within the Tees catchment area for the benefit of the Teesmouth & Cleveland Coast RAMSAR sites.

Conversion progress

• Baseline Metric Survey
• Scrub Enhancement
• Woodland Establishment
• Watercourse Enhancement