Local Nature Recovery Strategy draft documents

There are six key parts to Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. These are:

• Part A: ‘Strategy Area Description'. Part A provides a description of the current state of nature. This includes a summary of the habitats found in Suffolk and the pressures they face.
• Part B: ‘Opportunities Identified’. Part B sets out the opportunities to restore and enhance habitats in Suffolk. This includes a focus on the practical actions that target key habitat types, address biodiversity loss, and strengthen ecological resilience. This section also includes wider environmental co-benefits that could arise through recovering nature.
• Part C: ‘Suffolk’s Priority Habitats, Assemblages and Species’. Part C outlines the practical actions that will support the recovery of the habitats, species, and assemblages most in need.
• Part D: ‘Locations for Action’. Part D presents the potential measures which are mapped on the LNRS Local Habitat Map. The Local Habitat Map shows where these measures could have the greatest impact for Suffolk’s nature recovery priorities.
• The Local Habitat Map displays:
  1. the areas of particular importance for biodiversity (APIB);
  2. the areas that could become of particular importance (ACB);
  3. the potential nature recovery measures that could be taken.

• The Appendices provide an overview of the:
  1. the legislative background and analysis of related strategies and documents.
  2. the methods used for species and habitat priority generation.
  3. how the LNRS links to delivering wider environmental benefits.
  4. the methods create the mapping.
  5. the methods used during the engagement and consultation process to gather feedback.
  6. background on the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership.

The shortlist of priority species and habitats was chosen for their local importance. Input from a range of groups shaped the list. These included farmers, environmental groups, local experts, the public, and community organisations.

We can't include every habitat and species for recovery. But the ones we've prioritised will help boost nature recovery across the county. This will help to support a wide range of other habitats and species more generally.

To find out more , you can visit the publications section of the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership website.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the earlier public survey and the land management survey. Your input has helped to shape the species and priorities in this draft LNRS. For more details, visit the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership website. 

Now the public consultation has ended, we will use all the feedback to shape the final version of Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

After the revisions, the strategy will go back to Suffolk County Council's elected members. They will endorse it as the official plan for nature recovery in the region.

After cabinet endorsement, there will be a 28-day pre-publication period. This will give our Supporting Authorities a chance to share any final comments or changes before the Strategy and Mapping are published.

The strategy will be published by the end of 2025. To stay informed, visit our dedicated webpage: Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership.