Local Nature Recovery Strategy update

It’s been a while since we last shared an update on the Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), but we’ve made plenty of progress.

In collaboration with the Somerset Local Nature Partnership, we’ve been working closely with a wide range of people, including local communities, farmers, and landowners to help shape the strategy and decide on the key priorities and actions.

We’ve also spent time identifying and mapping the places that matter most for nature, and where nature recovery interventions will have the most impact, including where improving or restoring biodiversity could help tackle environmental challenges in a natural, sustainable way.

We’re now in the process of finalising the draft LNRS – primarily, refinement of the mapping element. We’re aiming to launch a public consultation of the draft strategy this summer, and we’ll be notifying all SEEN readers when this takes place.

To find out more about Somerset’s LNRS, visit the following pages:

• An introduction to Somerset LNRS
• Latest updates on the development of the strategy

Timeline for the LNRS Strategy: 

• Formal 28-day pre-consultation period:
  • Draft strategy to be reviewed by supporting authorities (Natural England, Exmoor National Park Authority) and neighbouring local authorities for 4 weeks (commenced 9 June)
• Finalisation of draft consultation strategy – July / August:
  • Resolution of any pre-consultation matters identified as needing to be addressed
• Public consultation – expected to commence in late August / early Sept:
  • 6-week public consultation period
• Finalisation of Strategy and consultation response – expected in September:
  • Finalisation of the Strategy following the public consultation response
• Pre-publication requirements – expected in October:
  • Final strategy to supporting authorities and neighbouring responsible authorities for 4 weeks
• Final version published – expected around November:
  • Formal approval by Somerset Council to publish