People are being asked to share their views on an ambitious new strategy to make space for nature across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
Launched today (Monday 6 January), the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has been developed by Leicestershire County Council and partners to protect nature and allow it to recover by preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity.
The consultation is looking for input from residents, farmers, landowners and other interested groups on the draft strategy, which sets out practical actions to boost the area’s wildlife and natural spaces.
The main points include:
• A big picture look at how habitat loss, shrinking species populations and the effects of climate change can be tackled
• The priority habitats and species that need urgent attention
• What action is needed to build a healthier, more connected natural environment
• Creating space for nature to flourish while supporting local people and their livelihoods
Developed with input from local councils, environmental groups, farmers, landowners, and the community, the draft strategy also highlights important habitats including woodlands, wetlands, and urban green spaces, along with key species that need help.
With 80 per cent of the land within the scope of the consultation being farmland, farmers and landowners are key players, combining sustainable food production with nature-friendly methods.
The draft strategy has been created using the responses to a series of workshops and two surveys, with more than 1,000 residents and almost 100 farmers and landowners having their say as part of the Making Space for Nature survey last year.
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.
The survey can be viewed on our Have Your Say web page and features at-a-glance interactive maps which can be used to view projects in detail and make comments.
Responses to the consultation, which runs until Friday 28 February, will be used to develop the final version of the LNRS, which will be published in the summer.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is an extremely important project which will help nature and people thrive across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
It’s a call to action for everyone. Nature is struggling, and we need to step up to help it bounce back. By working together, we can protect our landscapes and wildlife, and create a more sustainable future for everyone.It’s a long-term project, but the Local Nature Recovery Strategy gives us a solid starting point, with the goal of boosting biodiversity, improving habitats and creating a resilient landscape that works for wildlife, people, and livelihoods.
Balancing how we use land is key—it doesn’t have to be nature or development; we can plan smarter to fit in homes, food, energy, and wildlife. In short, it’s about thinking big, working together, and finding smarter ways to let nature and people thrive side by side.
Person:Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for environment and the green agenda
Councillor Geoff Whittle, Leicester City Council's assistant city mayor for environment & transport, said: “Leicester has a long track record of protecting and prioritising nature, and this new strategy will set an important new policy framework which looks at assets and opportunities across the city boundary.
“I would encourage everyone who cares about our environment to take part in this consultation, to help us build on our biodiversity and nature conservation work for the benefit of future generations."
Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Communities at Rutland County Council, said: “We know that people in Rutland care passionately about nature. As well as being home to Rutland Water, our local landscape is defined by its fields, hedgerows, rivers and woodland. However, there is more we can do to adopt a planned approach to protecting and enhancing nature and wildlife.
"The council has made this an important feature of its environmental focus – ensuring we maintain our rural identity and support nature recovery. I know people in Rutland will be keen to take part in this consultation. It’s incredibly important and has the potential to make a big difference.”