Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Introduction

A healthy natural environment is key to our own wellbeing. It provides us with clean air, nutritious food, fresh water, carbon storage, flood control, attractive neighbourhoods, places for recreation, business opportunities, and much more, as well as the simple joy of being close to nature itself.

Our natural environment is the combination of physical components such as air, temperature, landforms, soils, and bodies of water, along with living components including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Yet, nature is in crisis in the UK. Nearly one in 6 of our wildlife (16.1%) is now threatened with extinction. We often hear about losses of the Amazon Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, yet we are losing familiar wildlife that we cherish close to our homes, including the hedgehogs, hazel dormouse and skylark.  

The Government produces the State of Nature report to assess the situation. Despite the evidence of species decline, the report says:

“We have never had a better understanding of the State of Nature and what is needed to fix it.”State of Nature 2023

Local Nature Recovery Strategy background

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a tool designed to guide action for nature recovery. They were introduced by the Environment Act 2021 to help achieve the targets set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).

The LNRS Local Habitat Map maps existing areas for nature, practical actions and focus areas for nature recovery across West Northamptonshire. Working with various participants, data and evidence, the LNRS identifies local priorities and ways to achieve them (potential measures/practical actions).

Many of these actions also provide wider environmental benefits, like air quality improvements and reducing flood risk. Therefore, the strategy highlights the sites and actions that will provide the greatest benefit for nature recovery and the wider environment.

Natural Capital Investment Plan (NCIP)

The Northamptonshire and Peterborough Natural Capital Investment Plan (NCIP) sets out a shared vision for protecting, enhancing and investing in the natural assets that support our communities, economy and environment. From our rivers and woodlands to our soils, green spaces and wildlife habitats, these natural features provide vital benefits, such as cleaner air and water, flood resilience, carbon storage, improved health and wellbeing, and thriving local places.

The NCIP was developed between 2022 and 2023, and published in May 2024. The NCIP came in advance of the LNRS to identify where investment in nature based solutions can deliver the greatest positive impact.

It provides a practical framework for partners, landowners, developers, and investors to work together, directing funding into projects that strengthen natural capital while supporting sustainable growth across Northamptonshire and Peterborough.

The NCIP has helped inform the LNRS identifying habitat opportunities and wider environment benefits.

As environmental challenges grow and the demand for resilient, healthy places increases, the NCIP helps ensure that nature is valued as essential infrastructure, benefiting people today and securing environmental prosperity for future generations.

The NCIP storyboard can be viewed on the Natural Capital Solutions website.

How West Northamptonshire Council is embracing the challenge

Since being appointed as the Responsible Authority in June 2023, West Northamptonshire Council has embraced the challenge of tackling habitat and species decline by leading the development of a LNRS.

This strategy will set out a shared vision and clear priorities for helping nature recovery across West Northamptonshire.

Working closely with partners and local communities, we are coordinating the development of the LNRS to ensure it is informed by strong evidence, local knowledge, and a wide range of voices.

Once the LNRS is published, delivery will be a collaborative effort. We will work alongside the Northamptonshire Local Nature Partnership, government bodies, landowners, businesses, community groups, and local people to turn priorities into action and achieve meaningful outcomes for nature and our wider environment.

Within the Council, we are committed to inspiring a ‘Together with Nature’ approach across our public services. This sits alongside our statutory responsibilities under the Environment Act 2021, including preparing and publishing the LNRS, meeting enhanced biodiversity duties, and securing Biodiversity Net Gain.

Together, these efforts will help ensure nature recovery is embedded in how we plan, deliver services, and shape the future of West Northamptonshire.

Last updated 11 February 2026