An update on Local Nature Recovery Strategies in the East

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) continue to be developed across the East and as we enter the final quarter of the year it is a good opportunity to update members on the status of their county’s strategy as the ‘responsible authorities’ (county councils) charged with producing each document begin to train one eye on the concluding stages of this initiative.

For any members less familiar with LNRS, this body of work was introduced under the Environment Act 2021 and requires 48 responsible authorities to produce a spatial strategy for their county that will identify opportunities for nature restoration and put forwards a range of proposals to achieve that restoration. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is intended as one of the key delivery mechanisms for this.

The publication of LNRS will be an important step forwards for any members considering BNG as a form of diversification, as land mapped within the priority areas of LNRS will attract a lucrative “strategic multiplier” within the framework of BNG, meaning landowners can deliver more BNG units across a smaller area of land.

The impact of LNRS may in fact go beyond BNG and could also have some bearing on planning and development and, according to Defra, could play a part in future iterations of ELMs, although the department has not clarified how that might happen, or when.

Despite the outstanding ambiguity surrounding some aspects of the impact LNRS could have on landowners, the CLA has long held the view that input from the sector is essential if the final strategies are to be a true reflection of a nature-rich, biodiverse countryside that is also economically productive and viable for rural businesses of all shapes, sizes and disciplines.

At a regional level, we have maintained dialogue with each responsible authority and promoted events, workshops, and meetings specifically for landowners to contribute to the LNRS in their county and ensure their views are considered as the strategies are written.

It is fair to say that responses and attendance to these events was mixed, and we would encourage all CLA East members to take every opportunity to engage with their responsible authority and make their voices heard before the final documents are published and formally adopted in early 2025.

Bedfordshire – The Bedfordshire responsible authority is identifying and mapping the priorities for nature recovery based on the habitats and species found across the county. It is exploring ways to build upon the existing work that is being undertaken to enhance and restore nature in Bedfordshire. The responsible authority anticipates a draft strategy to be completed in the new year, with the public consultation likely opening in spring 2025. In the interim, you may wish to put your views forwards through this public survey Have Your Say Today - Bedfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy - Commonplace

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – The responsible authority is currently developing the habitat and species priorities and potential measures and identifying areas that could become of particular importance for biodiversity. The authority is also collating photographs of the county’s people and wildlife, and would welcome any images members may have that could be included in the final document, with a prize available for the best photograph submitted. Submit your photos here – the deadline for submission is 5pm on Thursday 31st October. https://naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk/lnrs/

Essex – Essex’s LNRS is drawing to a close with the draft strategy having been published in late summer. Members have until 25th October to respond to the public consultation, and we would strongly encourage all members in Essex to do so before the consultation closes. https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/rci/ddb68e54/

Norfolk / Suffolk – Due to the shared geography of Norfolk and Suffolk, the responsible authorities for both counties have been working in parallel and have recently published maps outlining the Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIB) within each county. These can be viewed on the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership website here. Draft strategies for Norfolk and Suffolk are expected later in the winter, and we’d encourage members to contact their respective LNRS teams with their views and opinions over the coming months. https://www.nsnrp.org/

Hertfordshire – The responsible authority is reviewing and analysing the information and data obtained from engagement events and workshops throughout the year. Roughly 300 sites that have been put forward for inclusion in the strategy, all of which are being cross-referenced with ecological data to identify opportunities and constraints for nature recovery. Further rounds of engagement events are being organised, plus publication of a priority species shortlist. Hertfordshire Nature Recovery Partnership

Lincolnshire – The responsible authority is conducting engagement and consultation events with various stakeholders, with the next event taking place specifically for the county’s farmers and landowners at Doddington Hall on 30th October. Next steps are to refine and short-list priority habitats, species, and recovery measures, before mapping where those actions should take place. https://www.glincslnrs.org.uk/

Northamptonshire (North and West) – In Northamptonshire, the responsible authority is working towards the draft strategy being finalised and ready for submission to West Northants, and North Northants Councils this autumn. A public consultation is expected before the end of the year. https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/conservation-and-protection/local-nature-recovery-strategy

Nottinghamshire – The responsible authority is conducting workshops and engagement events to identify and map the priority habitats and species in the county and work towards establishing potential measures to address their recovery. Submissions of habitats and species on your holding can be made, to an interactive habitat map, via the Nottinghamshire County Council website. https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/local-nature-recovery-strategy-for-nottinghamshire