Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a.     Adopted the West Northamptonshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy; and 

b.     Delegated to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services authority to make minor editorial and design changes to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy in its final published form to take into account recommendations in Natural England’s pre-publication panel formal response. 

REASONS RESOLVED:

1. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a statutory requirement which the Council must deliver as the Responsible Authority for the West Northamptonshire area.  It will support the Council, other organisations and individuals to make a positive difference for nature across West Northamptonshire 
2. Adoption of the LNRS would accord with the guiding principle of the One West Northamptonshire Plan for the council to promote sustainability in our plans. 
3. Minor editorial and design changes will need to be made to Local Nature Recovery Strategy to take into account recommendations in Natural England’s pre-publication panel formal response.  These recommendations were received too late to consider them for inclusion in the document attached at Appendix A. 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

If the Council does not adopt and publish an LNRS, it will not have fulfilled its duty under the Environment Act 2021, or the requirements of the Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023 by not putting in place a strategy for nature and environmental improvement. If the LNRS is adopted, this will facilitate the nature recovery across West Northamptonshire and wider environmental benefits.