Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are the first statutory spatial strategies for nature, which together will cover the whole of England. Requirements for LNRSs are set out in the Environment Act 2021 and LNRS Regulations (2023). They must be prepared and published by a Responsible Authority, in association with Supporting Authorities (Local Planning Authorities and government bodies), and align with county or combined authority administrative boundaries.

LNRSs are an important mechanism for identifying not only where the most important biodiversity resources are, but also where there is greatest opportunity for restoring or creating new places for biodiversity, and for enhancing biodiversity where this might provide wider environmental benefits. Alongside the spatial element which is called the Local Habitat Map, each LNRS identifies local priorities for wildlife and considers the wider environmental benefits that can be delivered as part of the plan for local nature recovery, this is referred to as the Statement of Biodiversity Priorities.

LNRS themselves are not intended to be delivery plans, instead they are an ‘enabling mechanism’ that target where action can best happen to aid nature recovery and bring local stakeholders together to work toward a shared vision and drive local ambition, action and delivery.

LNRS will be reviewed every 3 to 10 years from when the LNRS Regulations came into force in April 2023.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are the first statutory spatial strategies for nature, which together will cover the whole of England. Requirements for LNRSs are set out in the Environment Act 2021 and LNRS Regulations (2023). They must be prepared and published by a Responsible Authority, in association with Supporting Authorities (Local Planning Authorities and government bodies), and align with county or combined authority administrative boundaries.

LNRSs are an important mechanism for identifying not only where the most important biodiversity resources are, but also where there is greatest opportunity for restoring or creating new places for biodiversity, and for enhancing biodiversity where this might provide wider environmental benefits. Alongside the spatial element which is called the Local Habitat Map, each LNRS identifies local priorities for wildlife and considers the wider environmental benefits that can be delivered as part of the plan for local nature recovery, this is referred to as the Statement of Biodiversity Priorities.

LNRS themselves are not intended to be delivery plans, instead they are an ‘enabling mechanism’ that target where action can best happen to aid nature recovery and bring local stakeholders together to work toward a shared vision and drive local ambition, action and delivery.

LNRS will be reviewed every 3 to 10 years from when the LNRS Regulations came into force in April 2023.

The key uses of the Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy are intended to be:

planning and development: a guide for developers, planners and others to support decision making on scheme design, master and strategic planning for green and blue infrastructure including the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain.
public authorities: there is a new duty on all public authorities to have regard to local nature recovery strategies ensuring that relevant policies, strategies and operations contribute to biodiversity conservation and recover nature;
farmers, landowners and land managers: to show the best locations for habitat management, restoration and creation, and species-specific projects - opportunities which could be funded through agri-environment funding such as Sustainable Farming Incentive or Countryside Stewardship
community projects: provide information to help create nature and biodiversity projects, town and parish biodiversity action plans and policies.

The key uses of the Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy are intended to be:

planning and development: a guide for developers, planners and others to support decision making on scheme design, master and strategic planning for green and blue infrastructure including the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain.
public authorities: there is a new duty on all public authorities to have regard to local nature recovery strategies ensuring that relevant policies, strategies and operations contribute to biodiversity conservation and recover nature;
farmers, landowners and land managers: to show the best locations for habitat management, restoration and creation, and species-specific projects - opportunities which could be funded through agri-environment funding such as Sustainable Farming Incentive or Countryside Stewardship
community projects: provide information to help create nature and biodiversity projects, town and parish biodiversity action plans and policies.

The Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership (GLNP) was commissioned to develop the strategy. To do this, engagement sessions were held with the public, landowners, and local experts and representatives of environmental non government organisations (eNGOs) to gather ideas and information on what habitats and species are important in Gloucestershire, along with what threats there are to nature, and how to focus the strategy. Various working groups were formed comprising local experts and partners to oversee the process. The mapping was created by Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records, and drew from the existing Nature Recovery Network mapping, which had previously been developed by the GLNP.

Starting in In September and October 2025 a public consultation ran on the strategy for 6 weeks, allowing the public and interested parties and organisations to comment on the draft documents and mapping.

If you’d like to know more about how the development of the mapping and strategy, along with changes made as a result of the public consultation, click on the links above to read Appendix A and B. A report on the stakeholder engagement sessions has also been put together by the facilitation organisation Holding the Space, and can be found here.

The Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership (GLNP) was commissioned to develop the strategy. To do this, engagement sessions were held with the public, landowners, and local experts and representatives of environmental non government organisations (eNGOs) to gather ideas and information on what habitats and species are important in Gloucestershire, along with what threats there are to nature, and how to focus the strategy. Various working groups were formed comprising local experts and partners to oversee the process. The mapping was created by Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records, and drew from the existing Nature Recovery Network mapping, which had previously been developed by the GLNP.

Starting in In September and October 2025 a public consultation ran on the strategy for 6 weeks, allowing the public and interested parties and organisations to comment on the draft documents and mapping.

If you’d like to know more about how the development of the mapping and strategy, along with changes made as a result of the public consultation, click on the links above to read Appendix A and B. A report on the stakeholder engagement sessions has also been put together by the facilitation organisation Holding the Space, and can be found here.

Each Responsible Authority has the freedom to develop their strategy independently, although they must all, in their own way, fulfil the functions mandated by the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Regulations and statutory guidance, and contain the key elements of a “statement of biodiversity priorities” and an interactive Local Habitat Map. Each strategy across the country will be informed by local partners and experts in nature conservation and recovery, so each will have different priorities, and focus on different key habitats and species. In Gloucestershire’s strategy, we have chosen to include a range of “other” Potential Measures alongside the statutory measures that form the Areas that Could Become of Importance for Biodiversity (ACIB). Our “Part 2” document also lists un-mapped measures, to act as a resource and guidance for all users.

All LNRSs across the country must show Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity, which must consist of designated sites and irreplaceable habitats.

Each Responsible Authority has the freedom to develop their strategy independently, although they must all, in their own way, fulfil the functions mandated by the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Regulations and statutory guidance, and contain the key elements of a “statement of biodiversity priorities” and an interactive Local Habitat Map. Each strategy across the country will be informed by local partners and experts in nature conservation and recovery, so each will have different priorities, and focus on different key habitats and species. In Gloucestershire’s strategy, we have chosen to include a range of “other” Potential Measures alongside the statutory measures that form the Areas that Could Become of Importance for Biodiversity (ACIB). Our “Part 2” document also lists un-mapped measures, to act as a resource and guidance for all users.

All LNRSs across the country must show Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity, which must consist of designated sites and irreplaceable habitats.

We understand that depending on who you are, different parts of the strategy may be relevant, and you may want to focus on particular parts of the mapping. We have therefore created a user guide and video for the Local Habitat Map. We have also created a User Guide for Planners, Developers and Biodiversity Net Gain Practitioners. See above for links to these resources.

The mapping can be used on both tablet and phone, although it is most easily viewed and best functions on a desktop computer or laptop.

We understand that depending on who you are, different parts of the strategy may be relevant, and you may want to focus on particular parts of the mapping. We have therefore created a user guide and video for the Local Habitat Map. We have also created a User Guide for Planners, Developers and Biodiversity Net Gain Practitioners. See above for links to these resources.

The mapping can be used on both tablet and phone, although it is most easily viewed and best functions on a desktop computer or laptop.

No! The Strategy is just that – a strategic way to guide nature recovery to be carried out in the places we feel with be of most benefit. That doesn’t mean that nature recovery projects outside of the ACIB Potential Measure layers is not beneficial, and we support any efforts to improve opportunities for wildlife, so long as they are designed and carried out appropriately. The LNRS will, however steer investment and funding towards projects that lie within the ACIB Potential Measures areas.

If you are interested in creating a Habitat Bank specifically, we generally prefer that these are located within the ACIB mapped area, however we understand that this may not always align with land availability, and Habitat Banks outside of these areas can still be considered by the respective Local Planning Authority they sit within.

No! The Strategy is just that – a strategic way to guide nature recovery to be carried out in the places we feel with be of most benefit. That doesn’t mean that nature recovery projects outside of the ACIB Potential Measure layers is not beneficial, and we support any efforts to improve opportunities for wildlife, so long as they are designed and carried out appropriately. The LNRS will, however steer investment and funding towards projects that lie within the ACIB Potential Measures areas.

If you are interested in creating a Habitat Bank specifically, we generally prefer that these are located within the ACIB mapped area, however we understand that this may not always align with land availability, and Habitat Banks outside of these areas can still be considered by the respective Local Planning Authority they sit within.

The LNRS does not inhibit development within the all mapped areas , however local plans and planning decisions should "have regard" to the LNRS, and part of the plan making process will be to use the LNRS as a tool to designate areas that should be safeguarded for nature. Where a development is proposed within an area not safeguarded for nature, the measures that lie within a development should be considered and incorporated into designs where appropriate. Incorporating habitat creation that meets the actions set out within an ACIB Potential Measure, can also support generation of more BNG units. For very small developments (e.g. single dwellings or extensions), this may not be appropriate and due to their size they are less likely to impact the feasibility of achieving LNRS aims.

For larger developments they should ideally not be placed entirely within a mapped ACIB measure. This is because the measures are designed to improve connectivity and expand wildlife rich habitat from existing sites of importance for biodiversity.

We advise consulting with your local planning authority, and reading the User Guide below for further information and guidance.

The LNRS does not inhibit development within the all mapped areas , however local plans and planning decisions should "have regard" to the LNRS, and part of the plan making process will be to use the LNRS as a tool to designate areas that should be safeguarded for nature. Where a development is proposed within an area not safeguarded for nature, the measures that lie within a development should be considered and incorporated into designs where appropriate. Incorporating habitat creation that meets the actions set out within an ACIB Potential Measure, can also support generation of more BNG units. For very small developments (e.g. single dwellings or extensions), this may not be appropriate and due to their size they are less likely to impact the feasibility of achieving LNRS aims.

For larger developments they should ideally not be placed entirely within a mapped ACIB measure. This is because the measures are designed to improve connectivity and expand wildlife rich habitat from existing sites of importance for biodiversity.

We advise consulting with your local planning authority, and reading the User Guide below for further information and guidance.

Whilst a nationwide monitoring framework has not been established yet, this is currently in development, there will be a requirement for Responsible Authorities to report to government on the delivery of their LNRS and actions taken. As and when a monitoring framework is fully developed, we will update this page, and reach out directly to known projects/delivery partners.

We would also like to know the great things being done to support nature in our county and champion the work of local communities and organisations. If you are carrying out a project that will meet the aims of an LNRS ACIB Measure, we would like to know. Please get in touch at lnrs@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Whilst a nationwide monitoring framework has not been established yet, this is currently in development, there will be a requirement for Responsible Authorities to report to government on the delivery of their LNRS and actions taken. As and when a monitoring framework is fully developed, we will update this page, and reach out directly to known projects/delivery partners.

We would also like to know the great things being done to support nature in our county and champion the work of local communities and organisations. If you are carrying out a project that will meet the aims of an LNRS ACIB Measure, we would like to know. Please get in touch at lnrs@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Whilst effort was made to reach a broad range of stakeholders and members of the public during development and the public consultation, we understand that not everyone will have come across the strategy in time to make a contribution. Unfortunately, to keep a consistent baseline for LNRS users, and for reporting, we now cannot make changes to the mapping (or documents) until the next review period. This will be determined by Defra, but is likely to be within the next 3-5 years. If you’d like to know more about how the development of the mapping and strategy, along with changes made as a result of the public consultation, click on the links above to read Appendix A and B.

Frequently Asked Questions