Some useful considerations can be found in this handbook. Do also consider contacting your local nature partnership, as will as the NRN partnership: ndpnaturerecovery@naturalengland.org.uk

The improvement of biodiversity is written explicitly in the environment act but there is also a requirement for LNRS to identify priorities in terms of wider environmental benefits. It is clear that these include ‘nature-based solutions’ but the full scope of these wider environmental benefits will be defined in the Regulations and Statutory Guidance.  

The NRN partnership will work with different sectors through the management group to ensure that a range of values contribute to decision making and actions. 

In terms of monitoring and evaluation, much of the species data required for this is collected by voluntary organisations and not necessarily within structured monitoring, how will voluntary recorders be supported to allow this?

For a network to really function ecologically, it needs to be established following good evidence to work out what to do where. What do the panel feel are the greatest challenges in establishing that evidence base, and/or filling gaps in existing knowledge?

In terms of working with farmers and land managers, any comments/experiences on the role of Facilitation Funds/Cluster groups?

What do you see the role of Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) groups and Facilitation Funds in this work?

We are working closely with these groups both locally and nationally as we recognise that they will be key in delivering the NRN. 

The NFU have been part of the NRN partnership management group since it launched with CaBA having also having joined this year.

How do ELMS, NRN, LNRS, NRP and nature recovery projects all link together?

How does all link in with the new funding systems for farmers?

How will LNRS fit with Landscape Recovery Scheme (3rd ELM scheme) – opportunity for overlap or distinctly different?

Will LNRS be used to prioritise the higher ELMs options assuming big enough demand on ELMs?

Does the National Habitats Network layer help farmers know if they are likely to be in a LNRS area for delivery?

The mapped output of the LNRS, the Local Habitat Map, will play a significant part in the spatial prioritisation of the Local Nature Recovery element of the Future Schemes (the second tier). The scheme will fund a significant amount of LNRS opportunity delivery.  

We can also expect LNRS to inform the Landscape Recovery Scheme but note that policy is evolving, with the third tier due to be piloted over the next two years.

The Local Habitat Map maps out the opportunities that the LNRS process has identified based on the national data, added local data and of course the deliberations of a wide and varied local stakeholder base.

The Local Habitat Map must identify:  

Areas where opportunities have been identified to deliver habitat management, restoration and creation that will facilitate nature recovery and, where possible, deliver other environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration or flood management.

In protected areas like National Parks etc, there is much less opportunity for BNG, how can these areas where loss of habitats has been nearly as great, be supported?

What sort of role do you think protected landscapes (national parks and AONBs) will play in delivering the NRN with expected changes in legislation (following the Glover Review), such as changes in statutory purposes?

BNG is one of a number of tools being developed to support nature recovery, alongside to name a few, LNRS, new farming schemes, England’s Tree and Peat Action plan.

BNG has the potential to be important, but forms part of a suite of new tools that will align to deliver the NRN.

At least a third of Local Authorities don’t employ an ecologist. How can they be expected to take a lead?

Local authorities are going to be expected to develop and help deliver LNRS: will they be resourced to do this?

Who will be representing LPAs in this process? Do LPAs have the resources and competencies to actively participate in this debate/process?

What support will the responsible authorities receive?

Does the panel know when the details of additional financial resources required for delivery of LNRS (and other aspects of the Act) will be discussed and provided to Local Authorities?

With regard to ecologists -this is an issue that we explored through the LNRS pilots and have talked about in our lessons learned document. We recognise that not all Local Authorities will have the existing capacity that the pilot areas did. It’s likely that responsible authorities will need to draw on external expertise (e.g., consultants or eNGO partners) to bring in ecology, data analysis and geographic information system expertise. 

Defra has committed to funding all new burdens on local authorities through the new burdens settlement – and that includes Local Nature Recovery Strategies. We are currently going through a spending review so we can’t say at this stage how much funding will be available, but we will be providing support for responsible authorities.  

Our five pilot areas received £140,000 each to carry out the LNRS pilots alongside support from Natural England. We are analysing the pilot process and using the experience to determine the level of funding that will allow the production of high quality LNRSs.