LNRS (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) are laid out in the Environment Act 2021 as an approach for delivering national environmental objectives at local and regional scales, through mapping and prioritising species and habitats for action for nature's recovery.
It is possible that we will see future ELMs schemes prioritised to objectives identified within a LNRS.
Linked to this is a primary function of highlighting opportunities to drive action from BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain), where providers of BNG credits will receive an uplift in credits if the nature recovery is undertaken on land included as a priority in the LNRS.
LNRS are created at a county level, following engagement with different stakeholders.
What is happening with my local LNRS?
In the East region, all LNRS have been published, except from East and West Sussex, which is expected later this spring. Please use the links below to find out more about your local LNRS.
Bedfordshire
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Essex
Hertfordshire
Kent
Norfolk
Suffolk
Surrey
East and West Sussex
Why do LNRS matter?
The principal aim of LNRS s to create a framework for making space for nature and prioritising how and where it happens as well as to promote delivery of BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain).
Since February 2024, mandatory BNG legislation has required certain developments in England to reduce and restore any biodiversity lost during the building phase and deliver a 10% minimum boost to biodiversity. It can be delivered onsite, offsite or through credits.
The strategies will help identify the priorities and locations for nature recovery in a given area which could be delivered through BNG habitat creation or other private and public funding.
If an area has been identified for nature in a LNRS, it could affect how BNG units are calculated. Mapped areas qualify for the Strategic Significance Multiplier, receiving an uplift of 15% of their BNG value.
With publication of the Land Use Framework, LNRS will also be used to look at spatial prioritisation of land use change and therefore could be used to prioritise government spending on programmes – such as ELMs – that affect land use.
While government has not made specific funding available for on the ground practical delivery of LNRS objectives, core staff funding has been made available to the responsible authorities to now focus on developing delivery strategies.