Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are a new England-wide system of spatial strategies established by the Environment Act 2021.
The main purpose of these strategies is to:
- Help reverse the ongoing decline of nature in England by establishing priorities for nature recovery.
- Identify locations to create or improve habitat most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
- The LNRS will also inform the delivery of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and help to guide local planning policy for nature recovery.
Key components of an LNRS include:
- Biodiversity Priorities Statement: Identifying priorities for nature’s recovery.
- Local Habitat Map: Mapping the most valuable existing areas for nature.
- Specific Proposals Map: Highlighting locations for proposed habitat creation or improvement.
Watch this 3-minute video which provides a quick introduction to the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham LNRS.
Across England there are to be 48 LNRSs, and Nottinghamshire County Council was appointed by DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to be the Responsible Authority to lead on the development of the LNRS for the county of Nottinghamshire.
It has done this on behalf of its Supporting Authorities – the 7 districts and boroughs of the county, Nottingham City Council, East Midlands Combined County Authority and Natural England.
The production of each LNRS is evidence-based, locally led and collaborative. The County Council worked with a wide variety of stakeholders including farmers and landowners, environmental and conservation organisations and groups, to help develop the strategy, including:
- Ashfield District Council
- Bassetlaw District Council
- Broxtowe Borough Council
- Gedling Borough Council
- Mansfield District Council
- Newark & Sherwood District Council
- Nottingham City Council
- Rushcliffe Borough Council
- East Midlands Combined County Authority
- Natural England
- Environment Agency
- Forestry Commission
- National Farmers Union
- Country Land & Business Association
- Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
- Notts Biodiversity Action Group
- RSPB
- Canal and River Trust
- Trent Rivers Trust
- National Trust
- Woodland Trust
- Nottingham Trent University
- University of Nottingham
- East Midlands Chamber
In Autumn 2024 we invited people to respond to an initial online survey to give us their views, and drop pins on an interactive map to tell us about locations in Notts where there could be opportunities for nature recovery or there are current projects ongoing.
Responses to this initial survey and comments on the map were used to help inform the development of a draft strategy document.
The draft strategy went out for a 6-week public consultation period between 6th May and 16th June 2025.
We received over 400 responses to the online survey as well as a number of individual emails. All comments were recorded. The comments from the online survey, as well as the feedback from the series of events held across the County and online during May and June, were used to help us develop the final version of the strategy.
The final strategy was published in November 2025 and will help to guide nature recovery in Nottinghamshire.
To find out more about the draft LNRS please look at the Statement of Biodiversity Priorities and the online Local Habitat map.
If you want to find out how you can get involved in nature recovery projects in your local area please see our User Guide for Residents.
If you would like to be kept informed about the LNRS or want to tell us about a potential nature recovery project, please contact the LNRS team at: LNRSNN@nottscc.gov.uk