Local Nature Recovery Strategy through a Blue Lens

Image to be added

Why is the project relevant to you?

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS’s), introduced in the Environment Act 2021, are new strategies to help reverse biodiversity loss and meet England's nature targets. They map out action needed to restore nature and involve local stakeholders like farmers, to provide the best environmental outcomes. This project worked with a 'responsible authority' to include water environment considerations via a data led approach. The spatial land use planning system will likely be a key delivery method.

‍

Key messages for Town and country planning specialists

This project's provides important water evidence to be used as a support tool for land use decisions. This evidence will not give a single answer for a location but instead provides options. Local expert understanding is key to balancing environmental goals for water, climate, and nature with food production, housing, and development to help make the right choice.

Call to action

Engaging with stakeholders, like catchment partnerships, is crucial. This engagement helps guide and confirm the identified needs and environmental opportunities the data-driven mapping provide.

Call to action

To effectively consider water needs and opportunities in LNRS's, we need to think about the river catchment areas. Authorities should work with neighbouring LNRS, recognising that actions upstream may be needed. This joint working will help to achieve the best environmental outcomes using existing plans and funding streams.

Call to action

As local nature recovery strategies develop, you'll see how proposed measures can shape site-specific policies, design, biodiversity net gain requirements, and open space management to support broader nature recovery through planning.

Call to action