Cheshire and Warrington Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Frequently asked questions
There is no requirement on the Responsible Authority or any other body to deliver the LNRS so, unlike a local plan, opportunity sites included in the mapping are not statutorily designated as a result of being included.
The LNRS is an evidence base for how nature recovery can be achieved in the most effective and deliverable way. The LNRS does not preclude development and cannot be used as evidence against development but it should inform how that development is designed and delivered to benefit nature recovery.
There is no requirement on land owners / managers to deliver what is mapped in the LNRS at any location. The LNRS mapping provides the best informed opportunities for nature recovery at a location but is guidance only.
However using mapped actions to inform planning or funding applications will likely make that application more successful since it reflects the LNRS evidence of what is most appropriate at that location.
LNRS is a guide to the best opportunities for nature recovery that can realistically be delivered in the next 5 to 10 years. The Secretary of State will determine when LNRSs across England require review which is likely to be between 3 and 10 years from the date of publication.
Due to the amount of data that each layer holds, sometimes it will take longer to download. Normally, the data downloads quicker when zoomed in, but this could change depending on your Wi-Fi bandwidth and the amount of users on the map at the time.
Yes, it is. The aim of the LNRS and its Local Habitat Map is to ensure that the correct actions (measures) are undertaken to enable nature’s recovery and give any project the highest chance of success. There are unmapped actions, which need to be taken into consideration, that could complement the mapped actions. Therefore, it is important to seek expert advice for the site.
No, they aren’t. The Local Habitat Map is based on the best available data from national and local datasets including maps provided by farmers and landowners. Before undertaking any project or BNG site, we recommend that you contact the relevant authorities, landowners or land agents for on the ground survey data.
No, It will not. Farmers and landowners are not legally bound to undertake the actions mapped on their land. However, there is a higher likelihood of better outcomes if they do. Although the LNRS has been stated, in the Agricultural Transition Plan (revised) 2024, as being intrinsically linked to the environmental land management schemes, further advice or guidance is awaited from DEFRA.
