Buckinghamshire set to pilot national initiative for nature

Thursday, November 5th, 2020

Buckinghamshire Council has been selected by DEFRA/Natural England to be one of five local authorities nationally to pilot a key part of the government’s national Nature Recovery Network initiative.

The initiative is an ambitious plan to strengthen and renew the natural environment across England by potentially creating Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) in every county area. Each LNRS will combine local knowledge with expert information and advice to plan for more coordinated, practical and focused action to support nature recovery.

Producing LNRSs will become a statutory responsibility for county and unitary authorities, assuming the current Environment Bill successfully passes through Parliament. They will provide the key mechanism for planning local delivery of the Nature Recovery Network, a major commitment in the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan.

Buckinghamshire has been chosen for the pilot on the basis of its collaborative relationship with the Local Nature Partnership and the Chilterns Conservation Board, the emerging Biodiversity Action Plan, the award-winning Environmental Record Centre, the well-developed biodiversity net gain scheme and the existing good progress with natural capital mapping. The strategy would provide an excellent evidence base for the new Buckinghamshire Local Plan.

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/news/buckinghamshire-set-pilot-national-initiative-nature/