HABITAT TYPES
Area habitats
Very Low distinctiveness
  Habitat distinctiveness Broad habitat type Specific habitat type Trading Notes Tier
1 Very Low Urban Urban – Artificial unvegetated, unsealed surface Compensation Not Required  
2 Very Low Urban Urban – Built linear features Compensation Not Required  
3 Very Low Urban Urban – Developed land; sealed surface Compensation Not Required  
4 Very Low Urban Urban – Unvegetated garden Compensation Not Required  
5 Very Low Watercourse footprint Watercourse footprint – Watercourse footprint Compensation Not Required  
Low distinctiveness
6 Low Cropland Cropland – Cereal crops Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
7 Low Cropland Cropland – Winter stubble Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
8 Low Cropland Cropland – Horticulture Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
9 Low Cropland Cropland – Intensive orchards Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
10 Low Cropland Cropland – Non-cereal crops Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
11 Low Cropland Cropland – Temporary grass and clover leys Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
12 Low Grassland Grassland – Bracken Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
13 Low Grassland Grassland – Modified grassland Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
14 Low Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Rhododendron scrub Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
15 Low Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Other sea buckthorn scrub Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
16 Low Lakes Lakes – Ornamental lake or pond Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
17 Low Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Ruderal/Ephemeral Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
18 Low Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Tall forbs Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
19 Low Urban Urban – Allotments Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
20 Low Urban Urban – Bioswale Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
21 Low Urban Urban – Intensive green roof Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
22 Low Urban Urban – Other green roof Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
23 Low Urban Urban – Facade-bound green wall Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
24 Low Urban Urban – Ground based green wall Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
25 Low Urban Urban – Ground level planters Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
26 Low Urban Urban – Introduced shrub Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
27 Low Urban Urban – Rain garden Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
28 Low Urban Urban – Actively worked sand pit quarry or open cast mine Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
29 Low Urban Urban – Sustainable drainage system Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
30 Low Urban Urban – Vacant or derelict land Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
31 Low Urban Urban – Bare ground Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
32 Low Urban Urban – Vegetated garden Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
33 Low Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Other coniferous woodland Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
34 Low Coastal saltmarsh Coastal saltmarsh – Artificial saltmarshes and saline reedbeds Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
35 Low Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Artificial littoral coarse sediment Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
36 Low Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Artificial littoral mud Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
37 Low Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Artificial littoral sand Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
38 Low Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Artificial littoral muddy sand Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
39 Low Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Artificial littoral mixed sediments Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
40 Low Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Artificial littoral seagrass Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
41 Low Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Artificial littoral biogenic reefs Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
42 Low Intertidal hard structures Intertidal hard structures – Artificial hard structures Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
43 Low Intertidal hard structures Intertidal hard structures – Artificial features of hard structures Same distinctiveness or better habitat required ≥  
Medium distinctiveness
44 Medium Cropland Cropland – Arable field margins cultivated annually Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
45 Medium Cropland Cropland – Arable field margins game bird mix Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
46 Medium Cropland Cropland – Arable field margins pollen and nectar Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
47 Medium Cropland Cropland – Arable field margins tussocky Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
48 Medium Grassland Grassland – Other lowland acid grassland Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
49 Medium Grassland Grassland – Other neutral grassland Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
50 Medium Grassland Grassland – Upland acid grassland Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
51 Medium Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Blackthorn scrub Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
52 Medium Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Bramble scrub Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
53 Medium Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Gorse scrub Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
54 Medium Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Hawthorn scrub Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
55 Medium Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Hazel scrub Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
56 Medium Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Mixed scrub Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
57 Medium Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Willow scrub Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
58 Medium Lakes Lakes – Ponds (non-priority habitat) Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A4
59 Medium Lakes Lakes – Reservoirs Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A4
60 Medium Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Other inland rock and scree Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A4
61 Medium Urban Urban – Cemeteries and churchyards Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
62 Medium Urban Urban – Biodiverse green roof Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
63 Medium Individual trees Individual trees – Urban tree Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
64 Medium Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Other Scot’s pine woodland Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A2
65 Medium Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Other woodland; broadleaved Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A2
66 Medium Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Other woodland; mixed Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A2
67 Medium Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral coarse sediment Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A2
68 Medium Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral sand Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A2
69 Medium Intertidal hard structures Intertidal hard structures – Artificial hard structures with integrated greening of grey infrastructure (IGGI) Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A2
70 Medium Individual trees Individual trees – Rural tree Same broad habitat or a higher distinctiveness habitat required (≥) A1
High distinctiveness
71 High Grassland Grassland – Traditional orchards Same habitat required = A1
72 High Grassland Grassland – Floodplain wetland mosaic and CFGM Same habitat required = A4
73 High Grassland Grassland – Lowland calcareous grassland Same habitat required = A2
74 High Grassland Grassland – Tall herb communities (H6430) Same habitat required = A2
75 High Grassland Grassland – Upland calcareous grassland Same habitat required = A2
76 High Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Lowland heathland Same habitat required = A2
77 High Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Dunes with sea buckthorn (H2160) Same habitat required = A2
78 High Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Upland heathland Same habitat required = A2
79 High Lakes Lakes – High alkalinity lakes Same habitat required = A5
80 High Lakes Lakes – Low alkalinity lakes Same habitat required = A5
81 High Lakes Lakes – Marl lakes Same habitat required = A5
82 High Lakes Lakes – Moderate alkalinity lakes Same habitat required = A5
83 High Lakes Lakes – Peat lakes Same habitat required = A5
84 High Lakes Lakes – Ponds (priority habitat) Same habitat required =  
85 High Lakes Lakes – Temporary lakes ponds and pools (H3170) Same habitat required =  
86 High Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Coastal sand dunes Same habitat required =  
87 High Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Coastal vegetated shingle Same habitat required =  
88 High Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Inland rock outcrop and scree habitats Same habitat required =  
89 High Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Maritime cliff and slopes Same habitat required =  
90 High Urban Urban – Open mosaic habitats on previously developed land Same habitat required =  
91 High Wetland Wetland – Reedbeds Same habitat required =  
92 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Felled Same habitat required = A3
93 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Lowland beech and yew woodland Same habitat required = A4
94 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Lowland mixed deciduous woodland Same habitat required = A4
95 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Native pine woodlands Same habitat required = A4
96 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Upland birchwoods Same habitat required =  
97 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Upland mixed ashwoods Same habitat required = A4
98 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Upland oakwood Same habitat required = A4
99 High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Wet woodland Same habitat required =  
100 High Coastal lagoons Coastal lagoons – Coastal lagoons Same habitat required = A4
101 High Rocky shore Rocky shore – High energy littoral rock Same habitat required =  
102 High Rocky shore Rocky shore – Moderate energy littoral rock Same habitat required =  
103 High Rocky shore Rocky shore – Low energy littoral rock Same habitat required =  
104 High Rocky shore Rocky shore – Features of littoral rock Same habitat required =  
105 High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral mud Same habitat required =  
106 High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral mixed sediments Same habitat required =  
107 High Coastal saltmarsh Coastal saltmarsh – Saltmarshes and saline reedbeds Same habitat required =  
108 High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral seagrass Same habitat required =  
109 High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral biogenic reefs – Mussels Same habitat required =  
110 High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral biogenic reefs – Sabellaria Same habitat required =  
111 High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Features of littoral sediment Same habitat required =  
112 High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral muddy sand Same habitat required =  
Very High distinctiveness
113 Very High Grassland Grassland – Lowland dry acid grassland Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
114 Very High Grassland Grassland – Lowland meadows Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
115 Very High Grassland Grassland – Upland hay meadows Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
116 Very High Heathland and shrub Heathland and shrub – Mountain heaths and willow scrub Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
117 Very High Lakes Lakes – Aquifer fed naturally fluctuating water bodies Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
118 Very High Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Calaminarian grasslands Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
119 Very High Sparsely vegetated land Sparsely vegetated land – Limestone pavement Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
120 Very High Wetland Wetland – Blanket bog Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
121 Very High Wetland Wetland – Depressions on peat substrates (H7150) Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
122 Very High Wetland Wetland – Fens (upland and lowland) Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
123 Very High Wetland Wetland – Lowland raised bog Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
124 Very High Wetland Wetland – Oceanic valley mire[1] (D2.1) Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
125 Very High Wetland Wetland – Purple moor grass and rush pastures Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
126 Very High Wetland Wetland – Transition mires and quaking bogs (H7140) Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
127 Very High Woodland and forest Woodland and forest – Wood-pasture and parkland Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
128 Very High Rocky shore Rocky shore – High energy littoral rock – on peat, clay or chalk Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
129 Very High Rocky shore Rocky shore – Moderate energy littoral rock – on peat, clay or chalk Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
130 Very High Rocky shore Rocky shore – Low energy littoral rock – on peat, clay or chalk Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
131 Very High Rocky shore Rocky shore – Features of littoral rock – on peat, clay or chalk Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
132 Very High Intertidal sediment Intertidal sediment – Littoral seagrass on peat, clay or chalk Same habitat required – bespoke compensation option âš   
Linear habitats
Hedgerow
133 Very Low Hedgerow Non-native and ornamental hedgerow Same distinctiveness band or better  
134 Low Hedgerow Native hedgerow Same distinctiveness band or better  
135 Low Hedgerow Line of trees Same distinctiveness band or better  
136 Low Hedgerow Line of trees – associated with bank or ditch Same distinctiveness band or better  
137 Medium Hedgerow Species-rich native hedgerow Same distinctiveness band or better  
138 Medium Hedgerow Native hedgerow – associated with bank or ditch Same distinctiveness band or better  
139 Medium Hedgerow Native hedgerow with trees Same distinctiveness band or better  
140 Medium Hedgerow Ecologically valuable line of trees Same distinctiveness band or better  
141 Medium Hedgerow Ecologically valuable line of trees – associated with bank or ditch Same distinctiveness band or better  
142 High Hedgerow Species-rich native hedgerow with trees Like for like or better  
143 High Hedgerow Species-rich native hedgerow – associated with bank or ditch Like for like or better  
144 High Hedgerow Native hedgerow with trees – associated with bank or ditch Like for like or better  
145 Very High Hedgerow Species-rich native hedgerow with trees – associated with bank or ditch Like for like  
Watercourses
146 Very Low Watercourses Culvert Mitigate or Compensate  
147 Medium Watercourses Ditches Avoid, Mitigate or Compensate  
148 Medium Watercourses Canals Avoid, Mitigate or Compensate  
149 High Watercourses Other rivers and streams Avoid  
150 Very High Watercourses Priority habitat Loss Unacceptable  

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