Strategic Environment
Policies Explained

Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategies

Local Nature Recovery Strategies were introduced by the Environment Act 2021 and are intended to guide action on nature recovery by setting out local priorities. They will take into account the opinions of the communities that live in the area of the strategy as well as considering the benefits nature provides them.

The strategies will consist of a statement of biodiversity priorities based on consultation with stakeholders and a local habitat map which identifies areas of existing good habitat, and areas of opportunity to recover nature that also provide wider benefits e.g. natural flood management.

It is intended that the Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy will be launched by March 2025. It will be used to inform nature based solutions and will be considered in the preparation of local planning policy. More details can be found at https://www.glincslnrs.org.uk/.

Biodiversity Opportunity Mapping

In his review of England’s wildlife, Making Space for Nature, Professor Sir John Lawton stated that our natural spaces need to be bigger, better and more joined up to create strong, well connected ecological networks in which nature can thrive. Unfortunately, our networks aren’t as big, as good or as joined up as they need to be to support themselves.

The Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership has developed biodiversity opportunity mapping on behalf of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. This mapping identifies where the quality and size of our ecological networks can be enhanced to ensure that nature has the best chance of thriving.

Among other things biodiversity opportunity mapping should be used to ensure that nature based solutions are implemented strategically in the most appropriate places.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Natural England defines biodiversity net gain as “an approach to development, land and marine management that leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before the development took place”. The Environment Act 2021 set this concept into law by introducing a condition of mandatory biodiversity net gain of 10% to all development.

The Local Plan

A local plan is a document that outlines the planning policies and proposals for a local area, prepared by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in consultation with the community. It sets out a vision and framework for the future development of an area, providing a platform for local people to shape their future surroundings. It is used to guide decisions on future development proposals and address the needs and opportunities of the area. A local plan may cover topics such as housing, employment, shops, infrastructure, and environment, and it may identify where development should take place and where it should be restricted.

25 Year Environment Plan

The 25 Year Environment Plan was published by the Government in 2018. It sets out government action to help the natural world regain and retain good health. It aims to deliver cleaner air and water in our cities and rural landscapes, protect threatened species and provide richer wildlife habitats. It calls for an approach to agriculture, forestry, land use and fishing that puts the environment first. The Plan set out the basis for subsequent legislation to protect the environment, such as the Environment Act 2021. 

The Plan sets out targets that the Government will look to achieve for improvements in the areas of air quality, clean water, protecting wildlife sites, reducing environmental risks, using natural resources more efficiently, enhancing the natural environment, mitigating and adapting to climate change, minimising waste, managing exposure to chemicals, and biosecurity. 

The full text of the 25 Year Environment Plan is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ab3a67840f0b65bb584297e/25-year-environment-plan.pdf

As part of the Plan the Government is required to publish regular updates on the progress of the Plan. The latest progress report can be read at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1176448/25yep-annual-progress-report-2023.pdf