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Local Nature Recovery and Biodiversity Net Gain

Essex is home to amazing wildlife and landscapes — but like the rest of the UK, our natural habitats are under pressure. That’s why Essex County Council is leading a major effort to restore and protect nature across Greater Essex.

What is the Local Nature Recovery Strategy?

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a statutory requirement introduced through the Environment Act 2021. The purpose of the LNRS is to establish where nature is thriving now, where it needs urgent help, where we can create new habitats and which species and areas we should prioritise.

Essex County Council is the Responsible Authority for producing the Essex LNRS, which covers Greater Essex. We work closely with our Supporting Authorities, including:

  • Unitary authorities
  • District and borough councils
  • Environmental organisations such as Natural England

The Essex LNRS was published in July 2025. You can read the full strategy here: Local Nature Recovery Strategy | Essex County Council 

What the LNRS includes

  • Maps showing areas important for biodiversity
  • A description of the strategy area, its habitats, species, and opportunities for nature recovery
  • Priority themes for biodiversity
  • Proposed measures to achieve improvements
  • Maps identifying areas that could become important for nature in the future
For enquiries, contact: nature.partnership@essex.gov.uk

Local Nature Partnership (LNP)

Launched in March 2022, the Essex Local Nature Partnership brings together:

  • Local organisations
  • Conservation groups
  • Local authorities
  • Businesses
  • NGOs
  • Any groups working to improve the natural environment

The LNP is an independent, self‑sustaining strategic partnership with over 40 member organisations across Essex. Its Board provides coordination and leadership.

What the LNP aims to achieve

  • Prevent further biodiversity loss and help reverse the decline
  • Restore habitats and support wildlife recovery
  • Deliver benefits for nature, people, and the economy (e.g., flood risk reduction, better access to green spaces)
  • Support collaboration across organisations and communities
  • Raise awareness of the value of Essex’s natural environment

For enquiries, contact: nature.partnership@essex.gov.uk

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) 

Making sure development creates space for nature

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) ensures development leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before. Developers must achieve at least a 10% net gain through habitat creation or enhancement.

BNG became mandatory in February 2024, as set out in:

  • Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
  • The Environment Act 2021
  • Planning Practice Guidance on biodiversity net gain

How net gain can be delivered

  1. On-site habitat creation or enhancement
  2. Off-site registered habitat banks
  3. Statutory biodiversity credits (as a last resort)

Landowners or developers interested in providing or purchasing credits can contact: Environment@essex.gov.uk

BNG compliance hierarchy

Developers must follow this order:

  1. Avoid habitat loss
  2. Minimise unavoidable impacts
  3. Restore habitats on-site
  4. Compensate off-site where necessary

Essex County Council BNG Sites

We are currently developing two BNG habitat sites:

Mersea Field

  • Former arable land being restored to grassland
  • New hedgerows and scrub planting
  • Habitat designed to support species such as Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail, and Nightingale
  • Expected benefits for birds and invertebrates

Martins Farm

  • Former landfill with existing grassland and scrub
  • Habitat enhancement will improve diversity and structural complexity
  • Creating more open clearings and “edge” habitat for wildlife

Updates on BNG delivery will feature in the next Biodiversity Report, published alongside the Biodiversity Plan.

Essex County Council is committed to its strengthened biodiversity duty under the Environment Act 2021, including publishing and reporting on a formal Biodiversity Plan.