Overview
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are spatial strategies mandated by government which will set local biodiversity priorities and show where resources should be focussed to achieve them. Without a strong focus on local delivery, LNRS may fall short of their potential. LNPs across England, with leadership from OLNP, have consistently called for greater clarity from HM Government on how they will support the facilitation of LNRS delivery.
Building on the great work of many partners in delivering nature recovery, OLNP is preparing to facilitate delivery of this new strategy. Our 2024 Forum event engaged over 80 partners in what the methods and priorities for action should be. These involve working with Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), farmers, businesses and local communities, as well as environmental charities and statutory agencies.
In Oxfordshire, the OLNP is working closely with Oxfordshire County Council (the responsible authority) and many other partners to ensure our LNRS delivers the best possible outcomes for nature. To do this, it is key we engage all relevant stakeholders, particularly those who will be the main delivers and funders (ie community groups, farmers/landowners, and businesses) as early in the process as possible.
Planning
OLNP supports Local Planning Authorities to maximise benefits of their decisions for nature. We work to influence LPAs to strengthen the protections that nature is given through the planning system, and to create mechanisms to support enhancement. HM Government plans for devolution and planning reform have the potential to be both opportunities and threats to nature, and OLNP will continue to work hard with partners to ensure nature is prioritised. This will increasingly involve reference to and alignment with LNRS. OLNP will work with Oxfordshire County Council and others to ensure provision of suitable LNRS tailored guidance for planners.
Farming
Oxfordshire has a diverse network of farm advisers, and OLNP aims to support them in using the LNRS to inform decision-making and guidance. For example, by illustrating how different agri-environmental payments align with LNRS priority outcomes across the county we can support farmers in prioritising the schemes that have the best value for nature. We also continue to support landscape-scale nature recovery projects such as Bernwood Otmoor Ray, farmer clusters like the Cherwell Farmer Cluster, and the Local Wildlife Sites programme.
Businesses
Businesses have an increasingly important role in supporting nature recovery. Through our Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF) project, OLNP is working to identify businesses in Oxfordshire with significant nature-related risks and opportunities and to support them in taking action. Our Innovate UK funded project focuses on developing the nature-based carbon market in Oxfordshire while establishing clear principles for engagement in nature markets. We also support Wild Oxfordshire and BBOWT’s Nature-Friendly Business Network and will continue collaborating with OxLEP and Oxfordshire County Council to ensure businesses have the guidance they need to contribute to nature recovery.
Communities
While not working directly with community groups, OLNP supports those who do, promoting a just, equitable approach. We host a People and Nature network bringing together organisations that support people to benefit from nature connection. We co-created the Inclusive Nature Recovery group, which supports collaboration to address unfair differences in opportunities to participate in and shape nature recovery action. We also led the creation of advice for incorporating nature into neighbourhood plans. We commit to ensuring any appropriate funding opportunities are accessible by smaller community groups. For more information on this topic, please see People and Nature.
Further advice
OLNP is working with Oxfordshire County Council, Wild Oxfordshire, and other partners to ensure there is suitable advice and guidance accompanying the publication of Oxfordshire’s LNRS for each of the key stakeholder groups named above. These will be available via Oxfordshire County Council’s LNRS website, as well as from the OLNP website.
Related publications
Towards a nature-first neighbourhood plan
Neighbourhood plans can play an important role in protecting and restoring your local nature. Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership has created this document to help inform thinking about the types of policy that might be developed for a given Neighbourhood Plan (NP). It includes policy examples from existing neighbourhood plans, and guidance on the steps to take when developing a draft neighbourhood plan.
Oxfordshire Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) guiding principles
The Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership proposes that Oxfordshire's Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) adopt the principles the working group, which includes representatives from local authority planning departments, have developed for Biodiversity Net Gain implementation.
The intent of these principles is to ensure that Biodiversity Net Gain is implemented in a way that supports the spirit of the Environment Act 2021 and maximises Biodiversity Net Gain’s potential impact on nature recovery in Oxfordshire. They are designed to facilitate a harmonised approach across all local authority areas, recognising that some local variations may be inevitable and indeed beneficial. Our aspiration is that they will provide a common framework within which local authorities, developers, conservation bodies, farmers and landowners work together to protect and restore our county’s nature.
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