Introduction
The requirement for Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) across the whole of England were set out in the Environment Act 2021. Following this in March 2023 DEFRA published the Local nature recovery strategy statutory guidance - What a local nature recovery strategy should contain document which sits alongside the The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023 (LNRS Regs).
The LNRS Regs came into force on 13th April 2023 with the WMCA being appointed as Responsible Authority for delivering the LNRS for the West Midlands region in June 2023.
This LNRS boundary is defined as being those administrative areas covered by the following local authorities:
- Birmingham City Council;
- Coventry City Council;
- Dudley Borough Council;
- Sandwell Borough Council;
- Solihull Borough Council;
- Walsall Borough Council; and
- Wolverhampton City Council.
These local authorities and Natural England are recognised in the LNRS Regs as ‘Supporting Authorities’ and we shall be working in partnership with them to prepare the LNRS.
What is the LNRS?
Local nature recovery strategies are a system of spatial strategies for nature and environmental improvement required by law under the Act. Each strategy must:
- agree priorities for nature’s recovery;
- map the most valuable existing areas for nature; and
- map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals (adopting Nature Based Solutions).
Together, the strategies will cover the whole of England with no gaps and no overlaps. The main purpose of the strategies is to identify locations to create or improve habitat most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
The strategies do not force the owners and managers of the land identified to make any changes. Instead, the government is encouraging action through, for example, opportunities for funding and investment. Having both actions for nature recovery and nature-based solutions will help join up work to improve how land is managed for different environmental reasons and find activities that have multiple benefits.
We are proposing to involve people and groups from across the public, private and voluntary sectors and help us work together on the LNRS. The strategy will benefit from their understanding of what environmental issues are most important locally. This will also encourage them to carry out the proposals in the strategy.
Though the WMCA, as Responsible Authority, will lead on preparation of the strategy we are not solely responsible for delivering the strategy. This should be a shared effort with public, private and voluntary sector partners all playing a role. By working with local partners the WMCA will be able to produce a strategy that is technically sound and evidence based.
The WMCA is responsible for republishing the strategy as part of an ongoing cycle which considers what has been achieved and proposes what further work is needed for nature to recover.
Our Progress
A working group comprising the WMCA, Natural England, all seven of the WMCA area local authorities and our two local nature partnerships have been pulled together to steer the development of the LNRS on its journey towards public consultation.
When gathering evidence for the strategy we have held focussed discussions with key stakeholders, provided webinars introducing the LNRS, undertaken a public evidence gathering survey and we have held a number of focussed workshops to identify and shortlist the priorities for the region.
In preparation of the evidence base for the LNRS we have prepared a State of Nature report provides a comprehensive overview of our natural habitat resources. This can be viewed here:
Aligning with the provisions of LNRS Regulations the Local Nature Recovery Strategy document along with mapping has now progressed to its 1st draft consultation with Supporting Authorities. It is intended that the full public consultation will take place in August 2025.
Contact us
If you wish to speak to our team please contact us at westmidlandsLNRS@wmca.org.uk