Biodiversity Net Gain • Darlington

Hall Garth

Habitat Bank

Verified BNG units for developers and ecologists across Darlington and the Tees Valley. A working land restoration project on the former Hall Garth golf course. 

Local Planning AuthorityDarlington Borough Council
National Character AreaTees Lowlands (NCA 23)
ComplianceEnvironment Act 2021

Off-Site BNG Units

A locally situated habitat bank supporting developers seeking off-site biodiversity credits under mandatory BNG requirements.

Specialist Partners

Delivered in partnership with Natural Capital Estate and the Tees Valley Rivers Trust – ecological expertise and independent oversight built in.

Active Transformation

Not a set-aside field. A managed, monitored land restoration programme converting a former golf course into a diverse multi-habitat ecological site.

Former

Golf Course Now Rewilding

About the Site 

Land in active ecological restoration

The Hall Garth habitat bank occupies land that previously served as the hotel’s golf course – a substantial, well-connected site now being actively transformed into a high-quality, multi-habitat ecological asset.

With footpaths running across the site, it functions as both a viable off-site BNG location for developers and a natural leisure facility for the local community – demonstrating the kind of multi-benefit land use that planning authorities increasingly look for.

DBC
Darlington Borough Council LPA

NCA 23
Tees Lowlands Character Area

6
Distinct Habitat Types

Site Boundary 

See the site in context

The aerial image shows the full extent of the Hall Garth site boundary, situated within the Tees Lowlands landscape on the outskirts of Darlington – accessible, well-connected, and ecologically significant.

Available Units

Habitat types on site

The bank supports a diverse range of habitat unit types, making it suitable for a wide variety of development projects and planning conditions.

Woodland & Forest

Established and newly planted woodland supporting native species and long-term carbon sequestration.

Lowland Meadows

Species-rich grassland habitats providing significant biodiversity value for pollinators and ground-nesting birds.

Ponds (Non-Priority Habitat)

Created and restored ponds supporting aquatic ecology and broadening the site’s hydrological range.

Heathland & Shrub

Open heathland and scrub habitats forming important transition zones and wildlife corridors across the site.

Neutral Grassland

Managed neutral grassland providing a versatile habitat baseline suitable for a range of offsetting requirements.

Watercourses

Rivers and streams running through or adjacent to the site, managed and enhanced as part of the wider programme.

Why Choose Hall Garth?

The practical case for developers

Local, credible, and built around long-term ecological commitments – not just compliance checkboxes.

 

  • 01
    Local to Darlington Borough CouncilUsing a locally situated habitat bank strengthens planning applications and demonstrates genuine local ecological investment.
  • 02
    Managed by recognised specialistsDelivered with Natural Capital Estate and Tees Valley Rivers Trust – credible names that hold weight with ecologists and planning officers.
  • 03
    Regulatory alignmentDesigned to meet mandatory BNG requirements under the Environment Act 2021, with documentation to support your planning submission.
  • 04
    Flexible agreementsUnits can be tailored to your specific project requirements, planning conditions, and timeline.
  • 05
    Long-term monitoring includedHabitat management and monitoring is built into the programme – not an afterthought.

How It Works

Three steps to compliance

Getting started is straightforward. We handle the detail so you can focus on your development.

01
Get in touch

Tell us about your development, the habitat units required, and your planning timeline.

02
Site visit & assessment

We’ll walk you through the available units and confirm suitability for your project.

03
Agreement & documentation

We provide the paperwork needed to support your planning submission.

Our Partners

Delivered with ecological expertise

The Hall Garth habitat bank is not a self-managed land arrangement. It is a structured programme delivered with two specialist organisations.

Natural Capital Estate

A specialist land management and ecological consultancy with expertise in BNG unit creation, verification, and long-term habitat management.

Tees Valley Rivers Trust

A conservation charity working to restore and enhance rivers, wetlands, and surrounding habitats across the Tees Valley. Their involvement adds ecological rigour and independent oversight to the habitat bank programme.

Get in Touch

Discuss your BNG requirements

Whether you need a single habitat type or a combination of units, we’re happy to talk through your project and confirm suitability before you commit to anything.

Biodiversity Land Enquiry (1)

Contact – Natural Capital Estate

Name
David Hall FRGS

Send an Enquiry

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© 2025 Hall Garth Hotel Darlington – Part of the Squirrel Hotel Group