Delivery Mechanisms for the LNRS

There are various delivery mechanisms that will be part of implementing the completed LNRS.

The LNRS will be used to help farmers and landowners:

  • Decide which Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship options are appropriate for their land
  • Identify opportunities for Landscape Recovery project proposals
  • Generate income through selling biodiversity credits to developers through Biodiversity Net Gain

It will also be used by government to more closely align their funding initiatives with the local strategy, and when considering applications for nature recovery funding.

ELMS (Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship)

Environmental Land Management (ELM) provides financial incentives for farmers to deliver ‘public goods’ on their land, such as improving air and water quality, carbon sequestration and increasing biodiversity. ELM includes the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes.

Funding from ELM schemes will be able to be directed towards projects identified within the LNRS, such as linking habitats across farms or implementing actions that benefit threatened species.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain was introduced through the Environment Act 2021 along with the LNRS. It is a requirement for any eligible new development to provide a minimum of 10% net gain for biodiversity.

The LNRS also determines where habitat creation or enhancement for Biodiversity Net Gain is of ‘high strategic significance’. Any habitat that is created or enhanced in accordance with the LNRS, and is also mapped within the LNRS as a habitat opportunity, will receive a 15% uplift in biodiversity credits.

Building a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for our local area

You might be surprised to know that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is one of the most nature-depleted areas in England. We want to change that! Imagine living in a world-class place where nature and people flourish together! With your help, together we can create a nature-rich future for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

What is a Local Nature Recovery Strategy?

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) programme is a national Government initiative designed to set priorities for nature recovery across England. Natural Cambridgeshire has been asked by the County Council to support the creation of an LNRS for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, as the County undertakes this commission on behalf of the СРСА.

How have people been asked to get involved so far?

Earlier this year, to help to build insights, we asked individuals to complete an online survey and for representatives from groups and organisations, and farmers and landowners, to complete the relevant online questionnaire. We wanted to know:

  • What it is that you value most about your local natural environment?
  • Where you love to go locally, to enjoy the benefits of nature?
  • Why the natural environment is important to you and/or the organisation or business that you represent?
  • And what, in your opinion, do we need to do collectively to value nature more?

The surveys are now closed for contributions – but were open until 5pm on 19 April and findings will help feed into the wider work of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy as it sets priorities for nature recovery in the local area. The public will also be asked to engage in a wider public consultation on the strategy at a later stage.

There will also be future opportunities for nature-committed folk to participate in wider LNRS development activities. For now, please do get in touch to express your interest in this.

Further insights and current timeline:

Coming soon! 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Coming soon!