The document provides an overview of a webinar hosted by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) about what nature recovery means for local authorities.
The webinar featured presentations from Natural England and local authorities on setting the national context for nature recovery, emerging insights from early adopter local authorities, linking evidence on nature to local plans, and examples of delivering nature recovery from Warwickshire County Council, Bath & North East Somerset, and Birmingham City Council.
It discussed the opportunities and challenges of implementing nature recovery at the local level, including the need for clarity on funding, embedding nature into wider corporate priorities, the value of partnerships, navigating different frameworks and timelines, and the role of regulations and guidance.
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PAS Nature Recovery for LAs 8 Dec Post Event.pptx
1. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
What does nature recovery mean for local
authorities?
‘The opportunities, challenges and the journey
ahead’
8th December 2022
2. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
1. Introduction and housekeeping
Krista Patrick
Principal Consultant (Nature Recovery
Network)
PAS
3. local.gov.uk/pas
Welcome
• We have a lot of people in the ‘room’ so you are muted to start
• Questions in the Q&A please
• Please ‘like’ or thumbs up questions you want to ask, rather than repeating
the same question
• We may not get round to all your questions, but will add relevant questions
and answers to our biodiversity net gain FAQs page
• You can also use the ‘chat’ function, e.g. if you have technical issues, or
email Megan: Megan.Kidd@local.gov.uk
• We will be using polls, so please answer these
• We will put slides up on our website after the 8th December.
4. local.gov.uk/pas
Agenda
9:30 Introduction and housekeeping Krista Patrick - PAS
9:40 Nature Recovery Network: The national picture Caroline Cotterell - Natural England
9:55 Emerging insights from early adopter authorities Krista Patrick - Principal Consultant
(Nature Recovery Network), PAS
10:10 Linking evidence on nature to local plans Carol Reeder - Natural England
10:20 Q&A Panel
10:35 3 x examples of delivering nature recovery Warwickshire County Council
Bath & North East Somerset
Birmingham City Council
11:05 Q&A Panel
11:25 Summing up, next steps and feedback Richard Crawley – PAS
11.30 Finish
6. local.gov.uk/pas
Planning Advisory Service (PAS)
• PAS is part of Local Government family, Team
of 14
• Funded by DLUHC to support English
planning authorities (LPAs)
• Wide programme, including in 2022/23: design,
developer contributions, Local Plans,
Environmental Outcome Reports &
development management designation
• Environmental planning a recent addition,
covering nutrient neutrality, nature recovery
and biodiversity net gain
7. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
2. Setting the scene: The PAS Nature
Recovery Network Project
Krista Patrick
Principal Consultant (Nature Recovery
Network)
PAS
9. local.gov.uk/pas
Why are we here? Valuing nature….
• The stock of the aspects of UK natural capital
we are currently able to value was an
estimated £1.2 trillion (2019)
• In terms of climate change emissions alone,
of restoring 55% of peatlands to near natural
condition were estimated to have a present
value of approximately £45 billion to £51
billion (2019)
• The value of health benefits associated with
outdoor recreation in the UK was estimated to
be between £6.2 billion and £8.4 billion in
2020
• The extent of UK urban environments
increased 30% between 1990 and 2019, while
enclosed farmland fell 5%.
10. local.gov.uk/pas
Background & Policy Context
Lawton Report ‘Make Space for Nature’ (2010) - ‘Bigger,
Better, More Joined up’
25 Year Environment Plan (2018) -
‘Be the first generation to leave the environment in a better
state than we found it’. Develop a Nature Recovery Network
Agriculture Act (2020) – public money for public goods
Environment Act (2021) – species and habitat targets,
mandatory 10% BNG for developments
30 by 30 Pledge (2020) – protect 30% of land/sea by 2030
11. local.gov.uk/pas
Environment Act New Duties
• All planning permissions granted in England (with a
few exemptions) will have to deliver at least 10%
biodiversity net gain from Nov 2023 (S98-101).
• Enhanced duty for LAs to conserve and enhance
biodiversity (S102) and report on their actions
(S103).
• LPAs will need to comply with the above duty and
have regard to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
in local planning policy and decisions (S102).
• Responsible authorities appointed by the Secretary
of State (S105) to lead the Local Nature Recovery
Strategy (LNRS), working with a broad range of
stakeholders.
12. local.gov.uk/pas
Nature Recovery Network Project
Natural England have commissioned the Planning Advisory
Service (PAS) to lead on a project engaging with local
authorities to raise awareness and understanding of:
• The importance and value of recovering nature to help to
address 3 of the biggest challenges we face: biodiversity
loss, climate change and wellbeing.
• Their new duties relating to nature recovery under the
Environment Act 2021.
• How Local Nature Recovery Strategies help to establish
the priorities for funding and partnership that will support
delivery of the Nature Recovery Network.
• How they can support partnership-based delivery.
13. local.gov.uk/pas
Outputs
Conversations with early adopters
Report thoughts and experience drawn from a
group of local authorities already delivering
nature recovery activities, covering new duties,
process, opportunities and challenges.
Aug – Oct 2022
PAS communications
•PAS website to include new section on the
Nature Recovery Network Project together with
launch article in PAS newsletter & social media.
Sept 2022
Workshops and seminars
Hold two series of workshops targeted at the
needs of Local Planning Authorities and
responsible authorities (supporting
Defra/Natural England).
Sept –Dec 2022
Case Studies
Showcasing approaches and experience from
local authorities delivering nature recovery
activities across the country.
Oct 2022 – Feb 2023
Final wrap up report
Evidence, recommendations and next steps.
Mar 2023
14. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
3. Nature Recovery Network:
The national picture
Caroline Cotterell
Director of Resilient Landscapes and Seas
Natural England
16. What’s the problem?
Climate and biodiversity crises – UK is bottom 10% globally and worst
G7 nation for biodiversity loss. Nature is key to mitigating and adapting to
climate change, and supporting health and wellbeing.
Twin crises present environmental, social and economic impacts and risks.
Economics of Biodiversity, Dasgupta Review (2021):
“Our economies, livelihoods and well-being all depend on our most
precious asset: Nature”
Approach over past 70 years focus on nature conservation: preserving
pockets of nature. Hasn’t stopped decline need to move towards nature
restoration and nature recovery:
‘Bigger, better, more, more joined up’
(Lawton Report, 2010) . 16
17. Overarching NRN Strategic Ambition
. 17
NRN is a national network of wildlife-rich places,
connecting across urban, rural and coastal landscapes,
recovering nature at scale, benefiting people and
nature.
Establishing a Nature Recovery Network will:
• Enhance, restore or expand existing wildlife sites
• Complement and connect sites through wildlife
corridors and stepping stones and buffer zones of
sustainably managed land
• Provide ecosystem benefits such as carbon capture,
climate resilience, flood management, improved air
and water quality, pollination, sustainable resources
• Enable access to and enjoyment of nature –
benefitting health and wellbeing
• Enable people to see how their contribution matters
18. NRN Delivery Mechanisms
1. New spatial tools
To target and plan the NRN – aligning needs at a national
level and local priorities through Local Nature Recovery
Strategies (LNRS)
3. Integration of policies and funding streams
NRN as an umbrella for various policy drivers (Env Act,
30x30). Opportunities to maximise existing or securing
new funding/ finance (public and private) e.g. ELMs,
BNG, ecosystem markets, CSR and nature finance.
2. Strong partnerships
Including: government, landowners and managers,
business, local communities and conservation
organisations. Supporting NRN Partnership to
deliver action on the ground
19. Why is this important for Local Authorities?
For local authorities, nature recovery links to a range of agendas:
• Addressing the climate and biodiversity emergencies
• Flood resilience and drought management
• Mental and physical health and wellbeing
• Green infrastructure
• Access to greenspace and nature
• Energy efficiency
• Improving air and water quality
• Providing healthy soil that supports sustainable food
production
• Thriving wildlife, including services like pollination
• Secure livelihoods and the basis of a healthy economy
• Place-making
. 19
20. How NE can support Local Authorities
12 Area Teams across the country working with local and
regional partners to:
support delivery on NRN, LNRS, Green Infrastructure
and other policies
support development and delivery of hundreds of nature
projects at different scales
Signpost and support for funding opportunities like
Nature for Climate (trees and peat), Countryside
Stewardship and the new ELMs
. 20
NE – government advisor, delivery body and regulator:
Mapping and data, Guidance and technical reports - such as Nature Networks
handbook and Climate Change Adaptation Manual
Statutory consultee on planning, district level licensing
Protected sites and species
Biodiversity Metric, BNG Register, Nutrient Neutrality, GI Standards
23. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
4. Emerging Insights Snapshot Report
Krista Patrick
Principal Consultant (Nature Recovery
Network)
PAS
24. local.gov.uk/pas
In conversation with early adopter local authorities
There was a real desire
amongst participants to make
sure nature recovery activities
are successfully delivered with
some excellent suggestions
and examples of how this is
currently being achieved.
The Government’s shift in
relation to nature recovery
was especially welcome and
there is a collective sense that
we are at the beginning of
something new and important.
25. local.gov.uk/pas
Emerging insights
1. Clarity and
certainty of
funding nature
recovery
2. Embedding
nature into wider
corporate priorities
3. The value of
coordination and
partnerships
4. The variety of
frameworks and
timetables
5. The importance
of regulations,
guidance and
governance
26. local.gov.uk/pas
Insight 1: Clarity and certainty of funding
nature recovery
What do local authorities need?
To achieve the governments
ambitions for nature recovery local
authorities need clarity about what
funding is available and how to
bring this together to support
delivery.
27. local.gov.uk/pas
Insight 2: Embedding nature into wider
corporate priorities
What do local authorities need?
Local authorities need examples
showing how they can firmly
embed climate change and
biodiversity commitments into
corporate priorities across the
authority and use these to deliver
shared outcomes.
28. local.gov.uk/pas
Insight 3: The value of coordination and
partnerships
What do local authorities need?
Local authorities would benefit
from examples and business cases
showing how investment in the
coordination and leadership of
partnerships can deliver, nature
recovery, shared outcomes and
funding.
29. local.gov.uk/pas
Insight 4: The variety of frameworks and
timetables
What do local authorities need?
Exploratory work needs to start setting
out how planning better for the
environment needs to work from a local
authority's perspective. This needs to
bring together the various reforms and
policy agendas from DLUHC and Defra.
30. local.gov.uk/pas
Insight 5: The importance of regulations,
guidance and governance
What do local authorities need?
Local authorities need to understand
the governance arrangements that
need to be in place and how they work
in practice to support LNRS delivery.
This includes the need for strong
partnership working and join up.
31. local.gov.uk/pas
Emerging insights
1. Clarity and
certainty of
funding nature
recovery
2. Embedding
nature into wider
corporate priorities
3. The value of
coordination and
partnerships
4. The variety of
frameworks and
timetables
5. The importance
of regulations,
guidance and
governance
36. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
5. Linking evidence on nature to local plans
Carol Reeder
Senior Adviser, Strategy and Government
Advice
Natural England
38. What can be done now?
Presentation will look at:
• current scope for local plan policy
to address nature recovery,.
• importance of developing
supporting evidence for emerging
and future local strategies for
nature
• show the synergies between
existing NPPF/guidance and
future requirements for LNRS set
out in the Env Act 21.
38
39. www.gov.uk/natural-england
National Planning Policy
Framework – para 179 – the
policy hook
To protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity, plans
should:
a) Identify, map and safeguard components of local wildlife-rich
habitats and wider ecological networks, including …international,
national and locally designated sites …..; wildlife corridors and
stepping stones …and areas identified by national and local
partnerships for habitat management, enhancement, restoration
or creation; and
b) promote the conservation, restoration and enhancement of
priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and
recovery of priority species; and identify and pursue opportunities
for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity.
39
40. www.gov.uk/natural-england
NPPF Para 179 – a closer look
NPPF Para 179 (a): Identify, map & safeguard:
• Key components of ecological networks - designated sites etc +
connecting corridors/stepping stones
• Areas identified by local/national partnerships for
restoration/enhancement/creation & opportunities for BNG
Env Act says LNRS to include:
• Local habitat map, description of biodiversity and
opportunities/priorities for recovering/enhancing nature.
• Implementation
• Clarification how LPAs have regard to LNRS
• Work done now will contribute to plan policy & future
evidence/strategies for nature
• Partnerships – consensus & evidence
40
41. www.gov.uk/natural-england
Evidence
Good evidence to support Plan policy
is CRITICAL.
Robust & focused – policy will be
tested
Good evidence means:
• Better policy
• More certainty for developers
• More certainty for nature recovery.
Poor evidence & woolly strategy/policy
unlikely to achieve desired results
Same principle applies to future local
plan evidence drawn from future
LNRSs
. 41
42. www.gov.uk/natural-england
PPG – Natural Environment :
Existing evidence for identifying and
mapping local ecological networks
Can include
• geol/geomorphological character/main landscapes types;
• key natural systems and processes - e.g. fluvial/coastal;
• designated sites, protected and priority habitats & species &
irreplaceable habitat;
• main landscape features which support migration, dispersal and
gene flow, & habitat corridors linking sites;
• areas identified by national or local partnerships with potential for
habitat enhancement or restoration
• audits of green infrastructure, such as open space within urban
areas;
• Info on the biodiversity value of previously developed land and the
opportunities for incorporating this in developments;
42
43. www.gov.uk/natural-england
Knowns and
unknowns/someknowns
Knowns:
NPPF, PPG, Env Act 21
provisions for LNRS & BNG
Scope for Plan review & LNRS
review
Unknowns/someknowns:
Regs (detail) LNRS & BNG
Planning reform details
Scope to move forward – and
continue developing evidence and
policy to support NRN and build
consensus/buy in on key issues
43
45. local.gov.uk/pas
6. Questions for clarification
• Please submit your questions through the Q&A
• We will answer as many as we can today
• We will add relevant answers to FAQs on the PAS
website
46. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
7. Nature Recovery in Warwickshire
David Lowe
Delivery Leader: Ecology, Historic
Environment & Landscape
Warwickshire County Council
47. BNG to ENG to LNRS: A Natural Capital
Investment Model
David Lowe
Delivery Lead: Ecology, Historic
Environment & Landscape
davidlowe@warwickshire.gov.uk
What does nature recovery
mean for local authorities?
48. Content
• Green Infrastructure Strategy - in brief
• BNG – know where to deliver
• NEIRF Round 1: Mandatory markets
• Natural Capital Investment
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
50. 50
WARWICKSHIRE, COVENTRY & SOLIHULL
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
51. 51
WARWICKSHIRE, COVENTRY & SOLIHULL
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY
Covers
• Biodiversity
• Landscape
• Accessibility
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
52. 52
Biodiversity Strategy
David Lowe (Principal Ecologist)
Strategic Areas
Woodland and Grassland habitats
have been mapped to identify
Biodiversity Core Areas
Core Areas = 20+ ha in a 1km2
Strategic / Opportunity Areas:
• Areas of 5-20 ha in a 1km2
However, biodiversity is not restricted
to these areas and opportunities to
create 20ha in ‘white’ area are
encouraged = “Immediate Core Area”
Woodland Grassland
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
53. 53
South – North Grassland species Flow South – North Woodland species Flow
CONDATIS
Flows
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
55. LEGEND
Connectivity Model
High Connectivity
Medium / High Connectivity
Medium Connectivity
Medium / Low Connectivity
Low Connectivity
Indicative species movement
Critical Conflict Points along
HS2 Proposed Route
Major Infrastructure projects or retro-Green Bridges
Wormleighton
Windmill Lane
South
Cubbington Wood
Leicester Lane
Stoneleigh Road
A46 Kenilworth Bypass
Flows
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
56. Results
2012 - 2014 2019
2020 - 2025
2025 - 2030
An increase in High Level Distinctiveness habitat
A decrease in Medium Level Distinctiveness habitat
Percentage and Area of Net Gain
in Warwickshire
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
57. Ecosystem Services
Natural
Capital
Provisioning
Regulating
Supporting
Cultural
Food, Fibre,
biodiversity, fresh water
Climate Change,
hazard regulation
Pollination, flooding
Soil formation, nutrient
cycling, water cycling
Heritage, tourism,
recreation, aesthetic
Investment
-Biodiversity Net Gain
- Carbon Capture
- Flood Alleviation
- Catchment’ Services
- Tourism
- Social Prescribing
Financial Return
Investment Repayment / Surplus
Where Next
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
58. Warwickshire County Council’s NEIRF project was to:
• Investigate other ‘Mandatory Markets’ through the delivery
Nature-based Solutions within with Local Authority
Consenting regimes
• Investigate and Establishing a Warwickshire Carbon Market
Natural Capital Investment Readiness Fund
The overall aims of this project were to produce recommendations for the development of a
natural capital investment strategy and the establishment of a carbon market and at least one
other ES market within Warwickshire
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
59. The DPD requires new buildings (residential and non-residential, the latter including institutional,
commercial and industrial) to be net zero carbon in operation, for a period of 30 years following
construction.
Any residual operational carbon is to be addressed through a robust carbon offsetting policy, where there
will be a requirement for:
• a cash in lieu contribution to the District Council’s carbon offsetting fund and/or
• at the Council’s discretion, a verified local off-site offsetting scheme. The delivery of any such
scheme must be within Warwickshire and Coventry, guaranteed and meet relevant national and
industry standards. If it is a nature-based carbon sequestration scheme, then it must
be backed by the national government’s Woodland Carbon Code
meet the Warwickshire ecosystem service market trading protocol.
It is anticipated that the DPD will apply from early 2023 and is hoped to be rolled out across all
Warwickshire Local Authorities.
Warwick District Council Net Carbon Zero DPD
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
60. Warwickshire Air Quality market
• It should be based on JNCC’s emerging UK AERIUS model, expected to be finalised in 2023.
• Additional research needs to be undertaken to establish what the appropriate mitigation
measures might be and to calculate their likely costs.
• The development of an air quality metric, or offset fee, would need to be developed by WCC.
Warwickshire nutrient neutrality market
• North Warks has been placed in a Nitrate Neutrality zone
• Rest of Warwickshire could be a 'voluntary' market (NEIRF2 bid)
Warwickshire flood risk mitigation, trading standards and social prescribing
• Need for Policy hooks within the relevant strategies (in progress)
Establishing other ecosystem services markets in Warwickshire
Within Warwickshire it is important to develop robust policies which can help address the current
biodiversity and climate change emergencies. We recommend that the production of an Environmental Net
Gain policy (SPD, DPD or inclusion within Local Plans) should be considered by WCC or the District
Councils.
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
61. Developing a Warwickshire County Council and LA Partner
Natural Capital Investment Strategy (WCC NCIS)
• Summary of actions, roles and responsibilities
• Strategic aims and objectives of the NCIS
• Links to current and forthcoming WCC policies and
initiatives
• Political/organisational support
• Internal partners and stakeholders
• External partners and stakeholders
• Governance
• Authority and roles within WCC
• External expertise required
• Funding and resources
• Evidence base and identification of gaps
• Potential natural capital income streams and models
• Main components of the NCIS
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
62. 2025 - 2030
Investment sites?
Investing in Natural Capital
• Biodiversity Net Gain – market secured through mandatory net
gain
• Carbon Offsetting – no market stability
Woodland Carbon Code ??
Cost per tonne £10 – 25 - ??
• Environmental Offsetting – e.g.Flood Alleviation Schemes
If one can sell BNG with CO that is subsidised by EO the market is
ripe for investment oppotunties.
WCC has been approach by 3 investment-type companies in the
last 3 months…
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
63. We will provide active
travel options, support
people to make
behavioural changes, and
invest in our biodiversity.
2022 - 2027
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
64. What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
Principles
Delivery themes
Key enablers
Funding – action plan seeks to
identify potential sources of
funding for relevant actions.
65. Delivery Lead
Ecology, Historic Environment &
Landscape
DAVID LOWE
Team Leader
Planning
Vanessa
Evans
Team Leader
Records
Ben Wallace
Team Leader
Projects
Gary Hillier
Natural
Capital
2 Ecologists
2 Senior Ecologists
2 Senior Historic
Environment Officers
2 Ecologist
2 Assistant Ecologist
2 Historic Environment
Officers
2 Ecologists
1 Senior Ecologists
1 Assistant Ecologists
1 Ecologist
2 Senior Ecologists
1 Assistant Ecologist
2 Senior Landscape
Architects
1 Landscape Officer
What does nature recovery mean for local authorities?
66. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
8. Nature Recovery in West of England
Stuart Gardner
Nature Recovery Manager
Bath & North East Somerset Council
69. How was the NRN mapped?
Core habitats
identified
Permeability of
the landscape
Modelled
ecological
networks
Strategic
Networks and
Connectivity Gaps
70.
71.
72.
73.
74. Lessons learned
Co-creation is critical for buy-in
Work with experts and a wide range of partners from the off
Understand the limitations of your data, and don’t let perfect be the
enemy of the good
Simple, easy-to-understand layers will facilitate their use: think about
how the maps will be used
Maps should be easy to update
Include water and wetlands, even if it is hard to model
75. March 2021 local.gov.uk/pas
9. Nature Recovery in Birmingham
Simon Needle
Principal Arboriculturist/ Principal Ecologist
Birmingham City Council
77. The Challenges
• Population at 1.1million and
rising
• One of the youngest populations
in Europe
• Significant number of wards in
top 10 percentile IMD
• High levels YLL in certain
quarters
• Air Pollution
• UHI
• Pluvial and Fluvial flooding
• Demand for housing.
COVID19 pandemic has brought to
the fore the inequality of accessible
green space
BAME more impacted by pandemic
Higher levels of BAME in areas of
low GI, poorer air quality and high
UHI
Urban Heat Island 2006 Multi Challenge Map 2013
79. • Establishing Canopy Cover levels in the City
• Canopy cover derived from UK National Tree
Map (Blue Sky) and land area but factoring in area
of exclusion such as water bodies, dedicated
sporting areas (stadia, cricket, football, bowls etc.)
and some designated nature conservation sites
such as SSSI’s.
• Overall, approx. 18.6% CC by total area but with
excluded areas that increases in to the low 20%
range.
• Distribution uneven across the city.
80. Climate Vulnerability Risk and using trees for Climate Adaptation
Prioritising areas for action
Map changes dynamically based on selected priorities and weighting given to each.
Indices of
multiple
deprivation
83. NRN Core Habitat Zone: These are the areas that contain the most valuable habitat.
The strategic objectives for these areas are Protection, Restoration, Enhancement
NRN Core Expansion Zones: The purpose of these areas is to make the core areas bigger and better
connected. Within this category, two zone are identified as follows:
Core Expansion Zone 1: Comprises those land parcels that are of lower ecological value than those in the
Core Habitat Zone but due to inherent value or location have the most potential to contribute to a
coherent ecological network.
Core Expansion Zone 2: Comprises all areas of green space that do not meet the criteria for inclusion in
Zone 1. These provide an opportunity for the restoration and creation of new habitats but investment in
these areas is a lower ecological priority than those areas in Zone 1 but may be higher priority from an
environmental justice point of view.
The strategic objectives for these areas are Restoration, Enhancement, Creation
NRN Urban Matrix Recovery Zones: The remaining areas of the Urban Landscape Matrix form part of
this category. Within this category, two zones were identified as follows:
Urban Matrix Recovery Zone 1: Comprises all features of the built environment within 100 meters of the
Core Habitat Zones and may include residential and commercial properties, gardens, road verges, street
trees and minor water courses.
The protection, enhancement, and creation of green infrastructure within these areas is a priority.
Urban Matrix Recovery Zone 2: Comprises all features of the built environment outside of Zone1. These
areas provide an opportunity for the protection, enhancement, and creation of green infrastructure.
Local Nature Recovery Networks
LNRN - identify areas that provide greatest benefit/ opportunities for
supporting ecological networks – established as part of the
Environment Act 2021.
Using Climate vulnerability data and LNRN mapping can show
delivery of multiple benefits.
Woodland created after the 30th January 2020 could be eligible for Habitat Banking
through the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. (potentially securing
funds for 30 years management) if suitable pre intervention habitat mapping exists.
84. Creation of new woodland blocks within the landscape needs to consider how these may relate to and complement other ecological
features such as priority habitats - grassland, wetland and rivers as well as balancing the recreational and sporting needs of citizens.
Prioritising amenity mown sites to create a more intimate matrix and where possible enhancing existing tree’d areas.
85. Considerations
• Identify suitable sites that don’t compromise priority habitats or where the matrix of
habitats will be improved including eco-tones.
• What benefits are being delivered - tie in to climate adaptation and resilience plans.
• Prioritise native tree and shrub planting within the LNRN’s
• Outside of LNRN – diversity of tree species is key for climate and P&D resilience. Consider
the 30:20:10 ratio
• Can native ground flora be introduced as part of planting activity
• Long term management -how is this funded (woodland Carbon Code, BNG offsetting – or
potentially both)
• Biosecurity –in all its forms
• With increase in habitat availability, quality and / or connectivity will there be a need to
consider how impacts from wildlife may ned to be managed. Grey Squirrel and Deer for
example as these may impact habitat establishment or condition.
87. local.gov.uk/pas
10. Questions and answers
• Please submit your questions through the Q&A
• We will answer as many as we can today
• We will add answers to FAQs on the PAS website
91. local.gov.uk/pas
Summing up & next steps
Next steps:
• Event feedback - What do you think? How did we do?
• Event slides on our website
• Adding relevant FAQs to our website
• Ongoing support on biodiversity net gain and nature recovery through PAS projects
For more information:
• https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/topics/environment
• Sign up to the PAS bulletin: https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/our-work/keep-touch
• Join our BNG practitioner network – email: Megan.Kidd@local.gov.uk
Hinweis der Redaktion
Good morning everyone and well give it a couple of minutes to let everyone on board.
So lets start and a bit of an introduction and housekeeping to start with.
This is the seventh event this autumn as part of our series on BNG and Nature Recovery.
We have received a great level of interest in these events and todays is no exception with more than XXX people on the call.
So the focus of todays event is on nature recovery and what this means for local authorities. Its aimed specifically at local authority officers needs and we have a range of officers on the call including development management and policy planners, ecologists, environmental strategy and delivery.
We understand that there might be some councillors on the call so please understand the primary focus which is on officer needs which can be quite different.
So let me introduce myself, colleagues from PAS including Megan, Garreth, Roy and Richard (plus the experts who are ging to present to us).
So before we start a few practicalities
Over 300 people, but will try to make interactive as possible
Use Q and A function to submit questions and will look to address these as much as possible.
We are continually adding to our FAQs as a valuable source of info later
Also using polls so please respond to these
Technical issues – see Megan
So in the true spirit of the world cup analogies this a a game of two halfs – run through agenda in two parts (two lots of Q and As) and helping us to answer questions:
Anna Collins and Jenny Lake (LNRS)
Carol Reader and Jo Russell (Planning) from NE
Plus colleagues from Defra DLUHC
FINISH at 11:30 - Manage expectations about how much we are going to be able to answer detailed questions
Before we start – this is the seventh event so I would like to ask (LAUNCH POLL)
Remind people – given our Autumn event series it is likely that many of you will have already attended one of our events but we are continually seeing new sign ups.
Options for Poll
Yes, I attended one of the previous PAS events on BNG and Nature Recovery this autumn
No, but I have attended a PAS event on other planning issues in the past
No, this is my first event with PAS
As many of you have attended a previous PAS event we don’t need to repeat this info ….
Its worth highlighting that we are trying to be as joined up as possible – especially on the Env agenda
BNG
NR
NN
So before we get onto the expert presentations I wanted to set the scene around the importance of nature recovery and the Nature Recovery Network project.
I would like to start off with getting a sense of what nature recovery means to you.
So in one word please enter in the poll one word that you would use to describe nature recovery.
Valuing the natural environment in local decision making
The natural environment has an innate value that means we have a strong responsibility to protect it.
It is fundamental to our health and wellbeing, is the foundation of a productive economy and provides us with attractive neighbourhoods and access to green spaces we can enjoy.
Despite this the natural environment faces urgent and significant challenges in the UK and across the world.
By tackling the biodiversity emergency, we will help nature recover and, at the same time, secure the health and economic benefits from an enhanced natural environment, for wildlife, for people and for our economy.
The UK governments 25 Year Environment Plan sets out what the UK will do to improve the environment, within a generation.
By 2042, the ambition is to achieve high quality, accessible, natural spaces with increased biodiversity close to where people live and work, with a focus around the equal distribution of environmental benefits and resources to all.
The Nature Recovery Network is a major commitment in the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, enacted by the Environment Act 2021, and is the biggest nature restoration project in our nation’s history.
Caroline will be covering more on this in a minute.
The Environment Act 2021 introduced a number of new duties for local authorities which are of relevance to nature recovery and biodiversity including:
- All planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) will have to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain from Nov 2023 (S98-101)
- Enhanced duty for LAs to conserve and enhance biodiversity (S102) and report on their actions (S103)
LPAs will need to comply with the above duty and have regard to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy in local planning policy and decisions (S102).
- Responsible authorities appointed by the Secretary of State (S105) to lead the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), working with a broad range of stakeholders.
As part of the Nature Recovery Network Programme there are a number of strands engaging with specific audiences including business, AONBs, National Parks and local authorities.
Natural England have therefore commissioned PAS to lead on this project engaging with local authorities to raise awareness and understanding on what the Nature Recovery Network is and how it can be delivered to help to address both the climate change and the biodiversity crisis and the challenges faced with public health and wellbeing.
This is runniung from August 2022 to the end of March 2023.
The project includes the following key outputs:
Conversations with local authorities (August to Oct 2022) - report thoughts and experience drawn from a group of local authorities already delivering nature recovery activities, covering new duties, opportunities, process and challenges. I will be covering more on this after Caroline.
Communications (September 2022) - PAS website to include new section on the Nature Recovery Network project together with launch article in PAS newsletter and social media. If your not signed up well include the link in the chat.
Workshops and seminars (September to December 2022) – PAS have been holding a series of Autumn seminars on BNG and nature recovery which have been uploaded to our website. Again well include the link in the chat.
Case studies (October 2022 to February 2023) - Showcasing approaches and experience from local authorities delivering BNG and nature recovery activities across the country. We already have a number of pen profile examples to our project webpage and will include a link in the chat.
Final wrap up report (March 2023) - to include evidence, recommendations and next steps for Natural England, Defra and others on local authority thoughts and activity, progress to date and needs to understand future support required.
So now onto Caroline Cotterell - Director of Resilient Landscapes and Seas, Natural England to tell us more about the nature recovery network and what this means for LAs.
So the next presentation is from myself sharing a brief overview of the key insights report weve shared ahead of todays event together with some polls to gauge your opinion on the findings.
So from the start of the nature recovery network project in August we held a series of conversations and roundtables with 20 early adopter local authorities to understand their thinking about the new system for delivering nature recovery.
The report that we have shared with you is the product from these conversations.
Given that the system for delivering nature recovery is going through a number of changes and the context of uncertainty that this brings its important to note that responses are often expressed as concerns, questions and issues.
However, theres a real desire to make sure nature recovery activities are successfully delivered with some excellent suggestions and examples of how this is currently being achieved.
Similarly, the Government’s shift in relation to nature recovery was especially welcome and there is a collective sense that we are at the beginning of something new and important.
We think these conversations can be brought together into five insights and “asks” from local authorities:
Clarity and certainty of funding nature recovery
Embedding nature into wider corporate priorities
The value of coordination and partnerships
The variety of frameworks and timetables
The importance of regulations, guidance and governance
Im going to explore these a bit more in the slides
Insight 1
Staff, capacity, funding and recruitment all remain big issues for local authorities and a key barrier to the delivery of nature recovery activities.
What we heard
Putting together a pipeline of nature recovery projects takes time and resources to pull together and deliver on the ground.
Some local authorities have been successful in securing seed and revenue funding such as Defra’s Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF)
Whilst funding opportunities exist not all councils been able to develop a set of robust proposals which meet specific funder requirements and short timescales for submission.
Some local authorities are also further ahead than others in their thinking about how different funding streams and financial models fit together.
Some are pooling new burdens funding whilst others are encouraging blended finance at a senior level and building into their business cases.
So to achieve the governments ambitions for nature recovery local authorities need clarity about what funding is available and how to bring this together to support delivery, including (a) initial seed funding to get strategies and projects in place and then (b) the more longer term sustainable business models to deliver those strategies and projects on the ground.
Insight 2
Some local authorities are more advanced than others in their approaches to embedding the opportunities from nature as part of wider corporate priorities and delivering shared outcomes.
What we heard
Awareness and understanding about the importance and value of nature in addressing key challenges varies across local authorities and their departments.
When viewed against national priorities the benefits from nature can be overlooked or seen as a barrier.
Local authorities have recognised that the climate and biodiversity emergencies are inextricably linked and deliver good environmental outcomes.
Local authority structures have tended to include traditional senior level roles including planning, highways, regeneration making it difficult to compete for funding for nature recovery activities.
In some instances local authority services have been restructured with new teams aligned and posts created.
So to support their climate and biodiversity commitments local authorities need examples showing how they can firmly embed these into corporate priorities which can be applied across the authority and then used to deliver shared outcomes.
Insight 3
There is an increasing appetite amongst councils to work strategically across departments and with external stakeholders to deliver wider benefits and new funding models.
What we heard
Local authorities have been supporting partnership working for some time drawing together multiple stakeholders, projects and funding bids but the coordinator is often not funded.
Various partner organisations have access to different funding pots and lever in other types of funding so often this has involved changing the mindset to understand the benefits of working in this way.
Local authorities would benefit from examples and business cases showing how investing time and resources in the coordination and leadership of partnerships across local authorities and with a range of external stakeholders can be beneficial for nature recovery, deliver shared outcomes and lever in additional funding.
Ingsight 4
A range of nature recovery policies and initiatives generate their own approach, governance and timeframes which means that local authorities are approaching delivery in different ways and at different times.
What we heard
Without an established nature recovery framework some local authorities have been working out the process for delivery for themselves with some further ahead than others.
Often delivery has been quite reactive and influenced by legislative requirements or windows of opportunity.
Some local authorities have identified the need for an integrated approach to meet nature recovery goals maximising the benefits for people and place.
Nature recovery activities and projects have often require long term political commitments and funding linked to the bigger picture and with no regrets.
Exploratory work needs to start setting out how planning better for the environment needs to work from a local authority's perspective. This needs to bring together the various reforms and policy agendas from Defra and DLUHC to include digital, local plans, Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), protected sites, Biodiversity Net Gain, NERC duties, environmental outcomes, data, engagement, monitoring and reporting.
Insight 5
Local authorities are waiting for LNRS regulations and guidance whilst others have been pressing ahead in different ways including preparatory work to inform their vision and priorities.
What we heard
Local authorities have felt unclear about what the LNRS means in practice and how they fit with other strategies, plans and frameworks.
Local authorities have identified the need for strong partnership working and join up between all local authority levels on what they will need to do to deliver the vision and priorities.
The LNRS pilots have helped to build relationships with key stakeholders including with their district councils.
In some places nature recovery mapping has already been used to inform their vision and priorities and the production of local plans.
There is a clear need for local authorities to understand the governance arrangements that need to be in place and how they work in practice to support LNRS delivery. This includes the need for strong partnership working and join up between all local authority levels as well as alignment between LNRS and local plans.
We think these conversations can be brought together into five insights and “asks” from local authorities:
Clarity and certainty of funding nature recovery
Embedding nature into wider corporate priorities
The value of coordination and partnerships
The variety of frameworks and timetables
The importance of regulations, guidance and governance
Each of these is explored more fully in the slides
Poll 3
Do you agree with the assessment we have carried out?
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Neutral
Poll 4
Which three of the emerging insights are the most important for your local authority?
1. Clarity and certainty of funding nature recovery
2. Embedding nature into wider corporate priorities
3. The value of coordination and partnerships
4. The variety of frameworks and timetables
5. The importance of regulations, guidance and governance
Poll 5
Are there any insights missing?
Please put these in the chat.
Poll 5
Are there any insights missing?
Please put these in the chat.
Poll 5
Are there any insights missing?
Please put these in the chat.
10:20 – 10:35
15 mins
From the national perspective we now head over to a number of local authority perspectives ranging from the rural, semi rural and urban. All three participants contributed to the conversations and insights presented and form part of a number of examples we have included as pen profiles we have uploaded to our project page. You can access these via the following link:
https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/topics/environment/nature-recovery-local-authorities/examples-local-authorities-delivering
Some of these interventions need a lot of money. Removal of river barriers can run to the millions; land purchasing is around £20-25k a hectare… then you have costs for management etc. and staff
Role of NRN in planning
Strategic multiplier for net gain
Embedded into process for development of Local Plans (informing where development takes place and how it can contribute to connectivity)
Informed Green Infrastructure Corridors developed by individual Uas
Key piece of evidence in Joint Green Infrastructure Strategy
Role in projects undertaken by UAs
South Glos looking at how to fill gaps in network
Informed strategic projects, such as development of Limestone Link
Wider role in informing project development across the region
Forest of Avon Plan: development informed by NRN
Used to direct T4C funding and wider approach to trees and woodland
Catchment Market used NRN to target priority areas for project development
Talk to the catchment market and role in bringing in private finance
11:05 – 11:25
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ASK PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THIS ANY QUESTIONS
So before we leave its important that we capture your feedback on how we did.
Poll 6: Have you found this morning's event helpful?
Yes, very helpful
Yes, somewhat helpful
Yes, a little helpful
No, not helpful
Poll 7: Do you feel better informed about nature recovery following this event?
Yes
No
Many thanks for all your contributions today and look forward to seeing you again soon.
So before we leave its important that we capture your feedback on how we did.
Poll 6: Have you found this morning's event helpful?
Yes, very helpful
Yes, somewhat helpful
Yes, a little helpful
No, not helpful
Poll 7: Do you feel better informed about nature recovery following this event?
Yes
No
Many thanks for all your contributions today and look forward to seeing you again soon.
We will be uploading slides to our website
Adding relevant questions and answers to our FAQs
Go to our website for examples and advice
Bulletin will announce further news
Practitioner network a chance share info with other planners and get into the weeds – online meeting later this month on resourcing BNG
Would like to hand over to Richard to sum up on what we have heard today and next steps.
