North Northamptonshire launches region’s first nature recovery strategy
Environment05 March 2025
The LNRS serves as a blueprint for how biodiversity can be protected, restored and enhanced across the area. It links green spaces to improve wildlife movement and strengthen the area’s resilience to climate change.
Through collaboration, it is intended that this strategy will help guide all in North Northamptonshire on ways to support nature recovery. It will provide landowners with options for what they could do on their land, and to better target investment and funding.
The remit of the strategy is not to tell people what they can do, or change what land is designated for, but will inform decision making through location and design of land use changes.
North Northamptonshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy was officially introduced at a launch event today, March 5, at Stanwick Lakes, with Council members, environmental experts and other key partners in attendance.
Cllr Helen Harrison, the council’s Executive Member for Climate and Green Environment, opened the event, followed by presentations from Natural England and local partners.
North Northamptonshire Council, the authority responsible for producing the LNRS, has collaborated with local communities, environmental bodies, and stakeholders. By leveraging their expertise and local knowledge, they have identified priority areas for nature recovery and designed practical actions that will have the most meaningful impact.
The strategy, which went out to public consultation in late 2024, focuses on key areas within North Northamptonshire, including Rockingham Forest, Nene Valley and Ise Valley.
Priorities include restoring ancient woodlands, protecting internationally important wetlands and supporting species such as the red-shanked carder bee, hazel dormouse, water vole and the curlew.
This initiative is part of a broader national effort driven by the UK Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and the Environment Act 2021, which mandates the creation of LNRSs across the country. In total, 48 responsible authorities are preparing strategies that will cover every place in England.
Natural England, the Government’s adviser on nature, has a statutory quality assurance role and is working with all 48 local authorities to ensure that every strategy meets high standards.
Congratulations to North Northamptonshire Council and all those organisations and people who have been involved in creating this strategy.John Torlesse, Natural England Deputy Director, West Anglia Team
Natural England is delighted to have contributed advice and expertise towards its development. It marks a really important step on our journey to recovering nature across North Northamptonshire.
We now need to get behind its delivery, and Natural England is committed to doing all it can to support that.
Thank you to everyone involved in the creation of this incredibly important strategy for nature recovery in North Northamptonshire.Councillor Helen Harrison, the council’s Executive Member for Climate and Green Environment
This strategy is about joined up collaborative action between local authorities, environmental organisations, landowners, and the community.
Together, we can achieve a thriving natural environment that supports wildlife, improves our quality of life, and contributes to the global fight against biodiversity loss.
Being the second area in the country to launch its Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a testament to NNC and its partnering organisations’ commitment to restoring and enhancing nature and wildlife across North Northamptonshire.Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council
The new strategy is aligned to a number of our current visions for the area including a comprehensive climate action programme and the North Northamptonshire Big50 Vision - a 25-year initiative aimed to enhance living standards for those living and working in the area, collectively contributing to the wider objectives of nature conservation and enhancement in our region.
The LNRS provides a clear plan of priorities and practical actions for our local communities and organisations to work together in support of nature recovery across the area.
Having this robust evidence-based strategy presents a good opportunity to secure investment and funding to help deliver these actions.
The launch of the LNRS is just the beginning. The council’s immediate next step is to use the strategy as a foundation for applying for funding, including grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other key sources.
Working in partnership with local environmental organisations and local stakeholders, the council aims to begin implementing key actions identified in the strategy.