A bold new strategy making space for nature across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland has been officially launched.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has been developed by Leicestershire County Council and partners to protect nature and allow it to recover by conserving and improving habitats and biodiversity.
The launch, at Brooksby College in Melton on Tuesday 8 July, marks a major milestone in the commitment to nature recovery, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders in a collective effort to restore and protect the natural environment.
These include farmers, landowners, conservation groups, community organisations and representatives from local authorities – all involved in helping to shape the future of nature and make the vision of the LNRS a reality.
It sets out practical actions to boost the area’s wildlife and natural spaces including:
- Tackling habitat loss and shrinking species population – by expanding woodland cover, connecting rivers to their floodplains and controlling invasive plant species
- Identifying habitats and species that need urgent attention - including barbastelle bats, hazel dormice, adders, palmate newts, European eels and water voles.
- Building a healthier, more connected natural environment – by protecting existing hedgerows and new native hedgerows and creating wildlife-friendly road verges with native wildflowers and grasses.
This is about taking positive, practical action to recover nature in every corner of Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland – from our rivers and woodlands to our farmlands and towns.
The strong support we’ve received shows that the people of Leicestershire. Leicester and Rutland care deeply about the environment and are ready to work together for a greener, healthier future.
Person:Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for environment and flooding
Councillor Virge Richichi, cabinet member for communities and rural issues, said: “Nature recovery is not something we can do alone – and that’s why this strategy is built on partnership. Everyone in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland has a role to play. Together, we can deliver real change for people, wildlife, and the places we all cherish.”
Assistant City Mayor for environment, Councillor Geoff Whittle, said: “This strategy and the action plan that will follow are very important to Leicester. They will support the recovery of nature, improve people’s access to it, and help to bring about improvements in health and wellbeing for people.
"They also support the city’s response to climate change by identifying opportunities for nature-based solutions to the problems we face.”
Penny Sharp, Strategic Director for Places at Rutland County Council, said: “We know many people in Leicestershire and Rutland feel a strong connection to nature and the rural landscape, which form part of the area’s unique character and identity. This goes hand in hand with an appreciation of climate issues and a desire to protect the environment.
“Development of this strategy has been welcomed by local communities, who also understand that nature plays a key role in our quality of life and the health of our rural economy. We now have a clear set of priorities that reflect the views of our residents and can support action to bring about positive change.”
Now, Leicestershire County Council will work with partners to create a delivery plan to:
- Provide support for farmers delivering nature friendly farming practices and habitat creation.
- Protect communities from flooding using solutions such as tree planting, re-meandering rivers and connecting rivers to their floodplains.
- Expand woodland cover and maintain wildlife corridors linking woodlands with other habitats.
- Safeguard and enhance natural spaces in existing and future urban areas.
- Create ‘nature corridors’ along historic rail lines and canals allowing wildflower verges, trees, and hedgerows to thrive.
- Manage grasslands to increase their species richness, providing homes for pollinators, reptiles and rare plants.
- Deliver tailored management plans to save threatened priority species from extinction.
- Educate everyone on the importance of local nature recovery and how they can get involved.
Just under 1,200 responses were received during a consultation held earlier this year with 97 per cent of participants supported the strategy’s aims. Feedback helped to shape the final version of the LNRS, ensuring it reflects local priorities and ideas.
The most popular suggestions for action were the creation of new habitats, the restoration or expansion of existing habitats and the need to make space for nature in housing, industrial and other developments.
More information and the strategy itself are available on the website.
Developed with input from local councils, environmental groups, farmers, landowners and the community, the strategy highlights important habitats including woodlands, wetlands, and urban green spaces, along with key species that need help.
It is the fifth strategy to be launched in England, and the first in the East Midlands.
With 80 per cent of the land within the scope of the strategy being farmland, farmers and landowners are key players, combining sustainable food production with nature-friendly methods.
Leicestershire County Council has been appointed as the ‘responsible authority’ to lead on the development of the strategy, working closely with the other local authorities, key stakeholders in land management, and supporting Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The other partners helping to oversee the development of the strategy are Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council, the seven Leicestershire district councils, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Natural England and The National Forest Company.