Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) is a new approach to setting priorities for nature at a local level in England. They are a statutory requirement, defined in Sections 104 to 106 of the Environment Act 2021.
Each strategy must:
- agree priorities for nature’s recovery
- map the most valuable existing areas for nature
- map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals
The main purpose is to identify locations to create or improve the habitat most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
It won't force landowners and land managers to make any changes, but will help identify areas and opportunities for a wider natural network. The government is encouraging action through (e.g. opportunities for funding and investment).
The government intends for local nature recovery strategies to inform the local planning process.
Implementation
We were appointed the Responsible Authority for the production of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy in this area.
The regulations set out the process that should be taken in preparation and review of the strategy.
- Prepare - agree priorities, identify potential measures’ (actions for achieving them) and map suitable locations for carrying them out:
- Gather and review existing information
- Compile a Statement of Biodiversity
- Undertake stakeholder engagement
- Undertake mapping assessment
- Undertake specific work on locally important species
- Produce a draft document and mapping portal for public consultation (current stage)
- Review and action public consultation responses
- Finalise and prepare the final strategy and mapping portal
- Publish - finalise the strategy and make it available
- Take action - local partners work together with landowners and land managers to create and enhance habitat for nature and the environment and take other biodiversity-positive actions
- Review - recognise what actions have been delivered, including those not identified in the current strategy.
- Update - revisit priorities, potential measures and suitable locations, to reflect progress and changing circumstances to ensure the strategy remains relevant and ambitious.
- Republish - finalise the updated strategy and make it available
We are currently at Stage 1 (produce a draft document and mapping portal for public consultation) and our consultation will run from 25 October to 9 December 2024.
Working with partners
We must work together with partners when preparing our strategy and later when reviewing.
This aims to:
- provide a single vision for nature recovery and the use of nature-based solutions that all interested parties have been able to contribute to and work towards
- build and strengthen local partnerships that will be important for carrying out the strategies as well as preparing them
- involve the people who own and manage the land, and the people who take regulatory decisions, so they can contribute to what action is being proposed, where and why
By working with local partners, we can produce strategies that are technically sound, and evidence-based. They will also benefit from local knowledge and have support from partners to help achieve successful delivery.
We are working closely with West Northamptonshire Council (also a Responsible Authority) to consider the cross-boundary aspects of nature that interact with both areas. We are both working with the Northamptonshire Local Nature Partnership including:
- Nene Rivers Trust
- Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants
- Northamptonshire Biodiversity Records Centre
- University of Northampton
- Natural England
- Rockingham Forest Trust
- Woodland Trust
Get involved
If you're interested in the LNRS and would like to be kept updated on progress, please email [email protected] to register.
Documents
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a guidance document which will help support the delivery of nature recovery.
The main part of the strategy is to provide land owners with options for what they could do on their land - be it a farmer, public body or an individual. It isn’t telling people what to do, or changing what land is designated for, but it can be used to inform decision making and potential options:
Our short video can help you navigate this document.
Our mapping portal contains the potential locations where some elements of the LNRS could take place, alongside the character areas and areas that are already of importance for biodiversity.
We've also created a LRNS mapping guidance video.
Associated documents
Delivery options
How different users can support delivery of nature recovery in our area (planners, developers, farmers, landowners, foresters, individuals, community organisations and environmental organisations).
We will update this document regularly with best practice and new information, and include a date and version number so you'll know if there is anything new.
Case studies
More case studies will be added over time - let us know if you would like to contribute to these:
Mapping methodology
How maps within the mapping portal were created and the reasoning behind the process:
Species methodology
How important species have been identified in North Northamptonshire and then included in the main document:
Statement of biodiversity
Review of existing documents and known evidence to provide a review of biodiversity in North Northamptonshire. This is a key document for the preparation of the LNRS:
Last updated 13 December 2024