Consultation on Local Nature Recovery Strategy now open

A consultation has been launched on a draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Cheshire and Warrington, which sets out the priorities and actions for nature’s recovery over the next five to ten years.

The government has made legally binding commitments to reverse the decline of nature and set it on the path to recovery. This is important for all the things we rely on – such as clean water and food production.

For nature to recover, targeted, co-ordinated and collaborative action will be required. The  LNRS will help Cheshire authorities to meet their enhanced biodiversity duties by steering broader action in the county, beyond impact of their own services.

The  LNRS is a statutory policy document, which has been prepared by Cheshire West and Chester Council with the support of Cheshire East Council, Warrington Borough Council, Peak District National Park Authority and the DEFRA arms-length bodies (Natural England, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission), as well as many other stakeholders, to cover all of Cheshire.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said:

“This is a draft strategy which we are now seeking input on. We know that there are many Cheshire East residents who are very passionate about the region’s wildlife. All the responses we receive will help us positively refine our ideas on how we best support improvements which can benefit our county.

“This is a consultation that has a very wide reach in terms of the different groups it connects to. As a rural borough, we believe that many of our residents will want to engage with this consultation and we very are keen to hear from farmers and landowners, who have such a strong connection to local nature, as well.”

The  LNRS intends to:

• Encourage an increase in tree cover and green infrastructure in wards of significant inequality;
• Set up a countywide ‘Future Farming’ group to develop solutions and promote good practice to support sustainable food production that aids nature’s recovery;
• Help to identify and develop opportunities for biodiversity net gain mitigation across the county to support development and major infrastructure;
• Encourage more opportunities for people to engage with nature (where appropriate), for the benefit this can bring;
• Support our natural resources and habitats, including peat; and
• Attract and target additional investment in nature where it can provide a range of eco-system services.

The  LNRS is a high-level strategy, providing principles and setting priorities.

The consultation will run until Monday 31 March

Pictured - The view towards Bollington.