Your guide to Local Nature Recovery Strategies

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are an initiative to cover England with a map of opportunities for nature recovery, introduced by the Environment Act 2021.

There are 48 LNRSs in development, with each finished strategy including a map and a ‘statement of biodiversity priorities’. The aim for the local authority charged with creating the strategy is to engage local stakeholders, including farmers and land managers.

Some of the strategies are likely to be completed much earlier than others. At the time of writing, West of England Combined Authority has recently published its strategy, Essex has recently closed its consultation, and Oxfordshire is currently open for public consultation. The remaining 45 are expected be consulted on at some point in the next six months.

At this stage, the only explicit purpose is to use the LNRS to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) effectively. This is through the ‘strategic significance multiplier’ which gives an uplift in the number of BNG units that can be created in an area that is most important for nature, to incentivise the creation of biodiversity units in the most beneficial places.

When LNRS was originally consulted on, the aim was to use it to spatially target the Local Nature Recovery part of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme programme, which has since been scrapped. However, it is possible that the LNRS will be used to target funding in future.

LNRS may also be used in planning policy. Currently, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) must have regard for the LNRS when making planning decisions, with guidance on how the LPAs should do this due in January 2024. However, it is possible that a more explicit role will be given to LNRSs in planning decisions in future.

The LNRS maps are there to illustrate the potential areas where nature recovery could be delivered in future, or is currently being delivered. It is important to note that they are not maps of what will happen, nor (at this stage) is there any mechanism behind the LNRS to make it happen. In many instances, it would not be possible to actually deliver everything that the map shows.

For example, the images below from Essex LNRS consultation shows that much of the area is identified as important for both woodland creation and grassland or heathland creation, when clearly it is not possible to do both.

Since the inception of LNRSs, the CLA has been concerned about the quality and quantity of engagement with land managers. Across the different strategies, there has been huge variation in how well local authorities have engaged.

The CLA worked with Defra on guidance to help local authorities know how to work with land managers, and held a webinar for the authorities with ‘top tips’ for getting land managers involved. We have also invited local authorities to attend our branch committee meetings and have been promoting their events.

It is not yet clear how the government intends to use the strategies, but the CLA’s focus will be on lobbying for LNRSs to present an opportunity to land manager, rather than a threat.

Because each LNRS is at a slightly different stage, you may be able to get involved in different ways. Some local authorities are still holding events for land managers; others are at the consultation stage, meaning that your opportunity to influence is to respond to the consultation document.

You can find out which of the 48 LNRSs your local area is included in here, and see more information about where your area is up to below.

Cumbria - The Cumbria LNRS will show where actions to recover nature would be most effective. There is no requirement that any specific proposed action must be carried out; instead, they are intended to guide where the public, private and voluntary sectors focus their nature recovery efforts for greater collective impact. Throughout the summer the team have produced a set of DRAFT Cumbria LNRS Measures - which will be the practical actions needed to meet the priorities for nature in the county.

Durham – The County Durham LNRS will be used to guide and focus funding from a variety of sources, which its said will include the government's Biodiversity Net Gain policy, Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, alongside other potential cross-sector and private funding opportunities such as those for woodland creation, natural flood management, and species projects. The authority hopes to publish the finalised strategy in the Spring 2025.

Liverpool City Region – Liverpool City Region LNRS' first phase of mapping has been completed and the map identifies “areas of particular importance for biodiversity” as defined by Defra. A set of biodiversity priorities (strategic objectives) have been established, incorporating technical evidence, stakeholder input and the public’s views. Phase two of mapping is underway and will identify areas where there are opportunities for nature recovery interventions.

North Yorkshire - The North Yorkshire LNRS workshop events for land managers and farmers across the county was held in February 2024 to understand their views on how nature can be encouraged alongside their businesses. Through the summer they focused on the preparation of the draft version of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

This has been reviewed by the Supporting Authorities (Natural England, City of York Council, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and North York Moors National Park Authority) over the summer, ahead of public consultation on the draft strategy.

Lancashire - The Lancashire LNRS has completed the map – area throughout the spring there was engagement with the habitat and species specialists and land managers to understand and describe the most important habitats and species in Lancashire and what the opportunities for recovery might be.

Throughout the summer they collaboratively agreed on the priorities and potential measures/practical actions for nature recovery in Lancashire and these will inform the Local Habitat Map and the Statement of Biodiversity Priorities. They aim for the draft strategy to go out for public consultation for comment and feedback on this in the first quarter of 2025.

North of Tyne - North of Tyne LNRS had completed much of its engagement by the end of October 2024. The next stage is for North of Tyne LNRS to prepare a draft ready for consultation, which it hopes to publish in March 2025.

Hull and East Yorkshire - The Hull and East Riding LNRS has identified its priorities for the area and the current habitats have been mapped. It continues to host webinars to better understand how the strategy can be implemented and become a facilitator for landowners to benefit from an additional source of income. Keep an eye on the website for opportunities to engage, including:

• General Public Feedback Survey
• Agricultural Feedback Survey
• Nature Photography Competition

Tees Valley - The Tees Valley LNRS is aiming to release its public consultation by December 2024 and publish the final LNRS by March 2025.

West Yorkshire - More information of the West Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy can be found on its website.

South Tyneside - South Tyneside LNRS has created a map which shows the boundaries of international, national and local designated nature conservation and geological sites within the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy area. Earlier in 2024, South Tyneside asked questionnaires to be filled in which asked questions regarding which areas in the region are important for nature and which could be improved.

South Yorkshire - The South Yorkshire LNRS have been conducting a number of surveys and workshops which have been designed to build their understanding of the regions' priorities for nature recovery. These surveys and workshops have now ended but should any engagement opportunities be launched we will keep members informed via our regional e-news.

Your regional CLA North advisers will continue to represent landowners in the final phases of the LNRS process, identifying possible opportunities and concerns as the details are finalised.

If, following this update you have any questions or concerns, please do contact the CLA North regional advice team. Call the team on 01748 907070.

Staffordshire - The final draft strategy for Staffordshire is expected to be available for consultation in early 2025. In the meantime you can sign up for email updates here or contact the LNRS team at lnrs@staffordshire.gov.uk.

Worcestershire - The consultation on the draft strategy and habitat map will be available in early 2025. There is also an event on nature friendly farming, with a focus on the LNRS, on 28 November. You can sign up to the event here, find the overarching LNRS page here, or can email the LNRS team directly on lnrs@worcestershire.gov.uk.

Herefordshire – A landowner/farmer engagement event is planned for the 12 December and we would encourage members to attend if you are able – booking details available soon. The online survey is still open to enable you to input you views here and you can also contact the LNRS team directly at NatureRecovery@herefordshire.gov.uk.

Shropshire – Although its online survey is now closed, Shropshire is still consulting on its strategy. There are demonstrations of the mapping tool and a discussion about how it could be useful for farming and land management on the following dates:

• Monday 13 January, 7pm start, Cockshutt Millenium Hall, SY12 0JE
• Thursday 16 January, 7pm start, Craven Arms Community Centre, SY7 9PS
• Telford TBC
• Friday 24 January, 12pm start, virtual meeting (Zoom)

To book your place please contact Sarah@fmagri.co.uk or register your interest by contacting the Midlands office. You can contact the project officer direct on L.Parker@shropshire.gov.uk.

Leicestershire – The draft LNRS is currently under development, after a series of engagement events were carried out over the summer. The final draft for public consultation will be available in early 2025. Keep an eye on the website for opportunities to get involved.

Derbyshire – Derbyshire ran a number of public engagement events in September, but there is still an opportunity to input if you missed these. There is a survey currently open for farmers and land manager to input here. The final draft of the strategy will be available for public consultation in early 2025.

Cheshire – The Cheshire LNRS has carried out a number of landowner and farmer consultation events recently, with good representation from CLA members. The link to make a pledge for nature recovery can be found here. It is now at the stage of drafting the final document which will be out for public consultation in the new year, but we don’t currently have any confirmed dates. You can find the link to the main LNRS page here.

Warwickshire – The link to the Warwickshire LNRS can be found here. A free to attend conference is planned for 5 December.

If you can’t find the information you need on your relevant LNRS, and would like to get involved or be informed of key consultation dates, then contact Helen Dale in the Midlands regional office and we will update you as we find out more information.

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 the 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 has also collated submitted photographs of the county’s people and wildlife.

Essex – Members have responded to Essex’s LNRS public consultation which opened in the summer and closed in October 2024.

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 2024, and we’d encourage members to contact their respective LNRS teams with their views and opinions over the coming months.

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. An event took place specifically for the county’s farmers and landowners at Doddington Hall on 30 October. Next steps are to refine and short-list priority habitats, species, and recovery measures, before mapping where those actions should take place – read more here.

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.

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.

It's fair to say that responses and attendance across the events has been 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.

If you have any questions, you can contact the East team using the details on this page.

Berkshire – The LNRS is well underway with a public consultation planned from November with the hope of the strategy being finalised and in place by June 2025. The Berkshire LNRS website is kept up to date and has lots of further information/ resources on it.

Buckinghamshire – Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes took part in an LNRS pilot in 2021, but they are going through the process again and are currently collating materials and feedback from their earlier workshops. They hope to launch a public consultation sometime between December 2024 and March 2025. Further details on this county LNRS can be found here.

Hampshire – Hampshire LNRS is progressing at pace with a draft strategy due imminently. Public consultation will begin after all of the supporting authorities have signed off the draft - expected to be a six-week consultation launching in winter 2024. More information is available from the LNRS webpage.

Isle of Wight – Otherwise known as Island Nature, the draft strategy is almost complete, with lots of information already visible in the map browser. There have been over 1,000 comments relating to priorities and measures and the LNRS team is currently converting these into tangible opportunities that can be mapped. Following a presentation with Defra there will be a public consultation on the draft – so sign up for updates on the website.

Kent – The LNRS in Kent and Medway, known locally as ‘Making Space for Nature’, is quite ambitious in what it hopes to achieve. It’s well stocked and regularly updated website can be found here. On this website, you will find the draft LNRS priorities and plans that were published for comments in July/August and you can provide your email asking to be kept informed of updates. The public consultation is currently planned to begin January 2025.

Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire, despite hosting their workshops a little later than some other counties, is slightly ahead of the curve in the South East - further details of the LNRS in this county available here.

Surrey – Surrey Nature Recovery is in the process of collating all their findings from the widespread public engagement and finalising the short list of priorities for nature. This is anticipated to take until early January when it will be presented to Surrey County Council Cabinet for approval before a public consultation in February and March 2025. More information can be found here. There is still time to drop a pin on the interactive map or share your ideas for nature.

Sussex – Sussex Nature Recovery is another well-advanced strategy with masses of engagement with landowners, organisations, communities and members of the public over the summer resulting in over 1,800 responses to a survey and an interactive map showing suggestions made. Engagement will continue well into the autumn, so check for opportunities to engage either as part of a cluster, at ploughing matches or individually. As with many of the other strategies, work is underway with prioritisation and translating feedback with a public consultation due in the winter.

If, following this update you have any questions or concerns, please do contact the South East regional advice team who are happy to discuss the LNRS in your area with you further. Call 01264 358 195 or email rosie.saltcrockford@cla.org.uk or lucy.charman@cla.org.uk.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly – Cornwall Council is reviewing its draft LNRS strategy and maps following a series of drop-in sessions in which businesses and members of the public could comment. The council hopes to publish its LNRS in the spring.

Devon – Devon is hoping to publish the draft LNRS by the end of December 2024, ahead of a consultation for 28 days in January. The CLA sits on on the Devon LNRS Farming Working Group, and continues to represent land managers.

Dorset – Dorset has made a lot of effort to engage land managers early in the drafting process, with CLA representation on the county’s steering group as well as its dedicated farming subcommittee. A draft for consultation is expected to be circulated soon.

Gloucestershire – Gloucestershire County Council sees the LNRS as a strategy that will inform local planning processes. There has been some landowner and manager engagement, and an online survey took place in autumn 2024. A draft strategy is currently in development, and is expected to go to consultation in late 2024 or early 2025.

Somerset – Somerset council is still working on its draft LNRS, mapping opportunity areas that could be used for future nature improvement projects to give nature the best chance for recovery. Somerset council has held two farmer focus workshops, and plans to hold two more sessions in December, before opening the draft LNRS for consultation. They are hoping to publish the final LNRS in spring 2025.

Wiltshire and Swindon – The LNRS is at ‘pre-consultation’ phase and more feedback is sought from land mangers.

West of England – The West of England LNRS is the most advanced in England, having been launched in November 2024. It can be viewed here. West of England Combined Authority has recognised the importance of farmers and landowners in the delivery of the strategy, and developed a toolkit to help them identify areas of potential for their land and businesses.

A full overview of LNRS in the South West can be found online here. If you have any questions, you can contact the South West team on 01249 599059 or email mark.burton@cla.org.uk or duncan.margetts@cla.org.uk.