Views sought on how to help nature’s recovery in Swindon and Wiltshire

Views sought on how to help nature’s recovery in Swindon and Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council press release:

Wiltshire Council is leading the drive to help nature’s recovery in Wiltshire and Swindon and is seeking people’s views.

Wiltshire Council has stepped up to take on new responsibilities to drive nature’s recovery across both Wiltshire and Swindon and is preparing a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) under section 105 of the Environment Act 2021.

Through the LNRS we can create rich habitats to drive nature’s recovery and provide wider environmental benefits.

Nature recovery needs to be locally led to help identify practical, achievable proposals developed with the input of people who know and understand the area. The LNRS Team has been mapping areas in Swindon and Wiltshire where future nature improvement projects should be provided to give nature the best chance for recovery following suggestions gathered at stakeholder engagement opportunities and events held early this year.

The council is now asking people, and specifically local farmers and landowners, for their views on this mapping.

Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Dominic Muns said: ‘We depend on nature for everything and now nature really needs our help.  The Local Nature Recovery Strategy will assist us to enhance wildlife habitats in the beautiful county in which we live.

‘We will be seeking to collaborate with local people, farmers and landowners on this vital work and asking people to give us their views, either by completing an online survey or by signing up to attend one of two online webinars we are holding to share the work we have done so far to develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy.’

Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: ‘We have been working with Wiltshire Council and Natural England for more than two years to establish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) so I’m really pleased we are about to enter the second engagement phase with local communities to get their views.

‘The LNRS will deliver on all three of our council missions to build a better, fairer and greener Swindon by ensuring developers focus on biodiversity net gain, improving our open spaces and working with communities to find ways of helping the natural environment. I would encourage as many people as possible in Swindon and Wiltshire to have their say on the strategy as it is really important we conserve and enhance biodiversity across the whole county.’

New Forest National Park Authority Chair David Bence said: ‘Reversing the decline in biodiversity is vitally important and Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a key tool to help make this possible. Five per cent of the New Forest National Park is in Wiltshire and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy will identify where action for nature will be particularly beneficial. We encourage local people, farmers and land managers to take part in this consultation.’

Consultation

The online mapping feedback webinars will give people the chance to learn more about the draft LNRS map and how they can give feedback via our survey, as well as offer the opportunity to ask questions.

The webinars are taking place on:

• Tuesday 23 July, at 7am to 8.30am – Specifically for farmers and landowners Book Here
• Thursday 25 July, at 6pm to 7.30pm – for all local residents Book Here

Feedback on the draft LNRS map can be given via the survey which will be available on the Wiltshire Council website from Monday 22 July until Friday 9 August.

People can also sign up to our LNRS mailing list here, to receive updates about the Wiltshire and Swindon LNRS and invitations to events sent straight to your inbox.