Nature recovery
The UK has been labelled as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world - see Biodiversity in the UK: bloom or bust? [external link].
There is a duty to protect and conserve the remaining habitats and species, and to restore and reconnect the landscape. We have a strong responsibility to protect habitats and wildlife.
Habitats are essential to our health and wellbeing. They are the foundation of a productive economy and provide us with attractive neighbourhoods and access to green spaces we can enjoy.
By tackling the biodiversity and climate emergencies, we will help nature recover and, at the same time, secure health and economic benefits from an enhanced natural environment, for wildlife, for people and for our economy.
Check out the biodiversity net gain page for further information regarding this topic: Biodiversity Net Gain [internal link].
Please see the Climate Change page for further details on what Darlington are doing towards this issue: Climate Change [external link].
Key publications include
- State of Nature report (2023) [pdf document] suggests there has been a 13% decline in the average abundance of wildlife in the UK since the 1970s.
- The ‘Bigger, Better, More and Joined-up’ principles of the Lawton Report (2010)[external link] - ‘Making Space for Nature’ - should be followed to help rebuild nature.
- The Dasgupta Review 2021[pdf document] makes explicit that long term economic prosperity is dependent on a healthy natural environment.
Tees Valley Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) were introduced in the Environment Act 2021 to
- Support efforts to recover nature across England;
- Help planning authorities incorporate nature recovery objectives;
- Support the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain; and
- Help deliver the governments national environment targets.
Darlington falls under the Local Nature Recovery Strategy within the Tees Valley.
Tees Valley Combined Authority has been appointed as the Responsible Authority for preparing and publishing a LNRS for the Tees Valley and will work with other organisations and partners in the area to agree priorities for nature recovery in the region.
The supporting authorities in Tees Valley are:
- Darlington Borough Council;
- Hartlepool Borough Council;
- Middlesbrough Borough Council;
- Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council;
- Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council;
- North York Moors National Park Authority; and
- Natural England.
For further details please seethe : Tees Valley Local Nature Recovery Strategy [external link].
Local Nature Recovery Strategy Statutory Guidance: Statutory Guidance[external link].