Introduced in the Environment Act 2021, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a statutory requirement. It is part of Nature Recovery Network (NRN), which is made up of 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies. These improvements are required by law under the Environment Act 2021. Together they form a nationwide network full of opportunities for nature recovery.
The primary purpose of our LNRS is to find locations for the creation or improvement of habitat. It aims to identify the locations most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
Essex County Council are the Responsible Authority for delivering the LNRS for Greater Essex. This includes Thurrock Council and Southend City Council. The Essex LNRS outlines agreed biodiversity priorities for nature recovery in the county. It also outlines a series of proposed actions, known as potential measures, to achieve these priorities. The Essex LNRS proposes where actions could be carried out that will connect and expand existing spaces for nature.
Our Local Nature Recovery Strategy will:
- map areas of importance for biodiversity
- map areas where nature recovery has been taken
- describe the strategy area, its biodiversity and its opportunities for nature recovery
- agree biodiversity priorities and identify potential measures for achieving them
- map areas that could become of particular importance in the future
The creation of the Essex LNRS is being led locally and collaboratively. It is being developed through support, advice, and guidance from a wide range of experts and stakeholders across Essex. This work began in August 2022 and is still ongoing. We are working to deliver the strategy alongside:
- Essex Local Nature Partnership
- Supporting Authorities, including Natural England
- the LNRS Working Group
- a range of LNRS subgroups
We are also working with multiple partners from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. We are working together to:
- improve how land is managed for environmental reasons
- find cross-sector activities that have multiple benefits
Visit gov.uk for more information on the LNRS Regulations and LNRS Guidance.
For any enquiries relating to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, please email nature.partnership@essex.gov.uk