Through this paper, the NFU is consulting members to develop a response. LNRS are laid out in the Environment Bill as an approach for delivering national environmental objectives on local and regional scales, through mapping and prioritising areas of action for nature's recovery.
The primary function of LNRS is to highlight opportunities to drive action from Biodiversity Net Gain.
It is not entirely clear how LNRS will interact with other funding initiatives being developed such as ELMs, though it is likely the LNRS will be far reaching in terms of their influence. This is, therefore, an important consultation.
The NFU believes LNRS must be developed in consultation with land management from the very beginning of the process in order to ensure they’re an accurate representation of what is on the ground, or what could be achieved.
Simple mechanism needed
It is fundamental that there is a simple mechanism to challenge inaccuracies of any LNRS. The content of the schemes must be based on sound scientific evidence, with local input and boundaries in particular needing to be carefully considered.
The LNRS should not be restrictive in its effects. For example, the NFU urges that planning decisions should not be stifled due to the LNRS, and ELMs funding should be open to land managers despite priority actions highlighted in the LNRS.
The consultation closed on 2 November.