Parish and town councils user guide (LNRS)

Parishes and towns are in a unique position to support and encourage nature recovery due to the deep understanding of communities and the local area. Many parishes are already doing fantastic work to help wildlife. If every town and parish took action, big or small this would make a big difference for nature in Suffolk.

What are Local Nature Recovery Strategies?

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are area-focused guides which show where and how action can be taken to help wildlife and our communities, from planting trees and hedgerows to creating wetlands.

The strategy document sets out what we already have, the pressures we’re facing, detail on specific actions you can take for the habitats, species-based habitat assemblages and species in your area.

The LNRS map shows exactly where and how action can be taken for nature’s recovery.

Town and parish councils can use the LNRSs to help guide decisions about where to focus work and for funding purposes.

Explore the map

Explore the LNRS map to see what spaces for nature already exist in and around your area. Then see what recovery actions are suggested. You can search by area, species or action type.

The LNRS map layers are now available on parish online. You can now view and integrate:

• Areas of Particular Importance to Biodiversity (APIB)

This shows where the existing nature-rich areas of Suffolk are, including national and locally designated sites and nature reserves.

• Areas that Could Become of Particular Importance to Biodiversity (ACB)

These are the areas that could become really good for nature if nature recovery work is taken.

• Potential measures

These are the different recovery actions we’re suggesting for each area. Some sites have multiple measures that would be appropriate, in this case you can choose what aligns best with your plans.

The maps were created using detailed analysis of existing data. As the maps cover all of Suffolk and Norfolk, we were not able verify the information via surveys on the ground. They should be used as a starting point to identify potential opportunities, rather than as a definitive guide. Before making decisions or undertaking any work it is important to seek expert advice and look at site-specific conditions to ensure that it is the right action for the right place.

If your land is not mapped it does not mean that nature recovery work is not important. You can still use the map to see what actions are suggested nearby and consider doing similar to increase habitat connectivity or focus on unmapped measures.

Unmapped measures

There are actions which were not possible to map. These are called ‘unmapped measures’. Many of these are actions for the urban and built environment, including increasing urban tree cover and wildlife-friendly gardening. Town and parish councils can implement these regardless of whether there are actions suggested on the land or not.

Dashboards

Dashboards give a localised snapshot of the information in the map – showing how much land is already important for nature, what percentage of the area could and the potential actions among other things. You can filter the dashboard to view information to your ward, parish, district or catchment.

Funding

BNG

If land that you own or manage has been mapped as a priority location in the LNRS, then you could receive 15% more Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units if you create or improve habitats in these areas in line with the LNRS recommendations. This is important if you’re trying to develop a site that requires BNG as part of the planning permission.

The increased BNG units are also applied to land you sell.

Neighbourhood plans

The Biodiversity Duty (the NERC Act) requires all local authorities, including parishes, to take account of the LNRS when creating Neighbourhood plans. When working on your neighbourhood plan the LNRS mapping can help with planning green corridors, whether you’re looking to improve specific habitats, locations or species. The map also allows you to plan green corridors to join up with corridors outside of your parish. Joining up habitats allows nature to flourish throughout the county.