Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is under development. To get the latest updates and invitations for events and webinars straight to your inbox, subscribe to our mailing list: 

Subscribe for LNRS updates (opens new window)

View the draft consultation LNRS 

Please see the live consultation draft map here: Wiltshire LNRS Web App 2025 (opens new window) 

To find out how to use the interactive map please watch our short instructional video: YouTube: Wiltshire Council - LNRS Interactive map (opens new window).

For ease of reference the measures may also be viewed in one place on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Measures (opens new window) site.

For the LNRS Mapping Methodology Summary, see LNRS Mapping Methodology Summary (OpenDocument text format, 21 KB)(opens new window).

The LNRS document may be downloaded below, we have provided both a full copy in both PDF and ODT format and a PDF copy split into three parts for ease of sending.  

• LNRS odt Doc (OpenDocument text format, 10 MB)(opens new window)
• LNRS Consultation doc (PDF, 100 MB)(opens new window) 

Three parts of consultation draft LNRS as PDF:

• Part 1 - Measures LNRS Part 1 (PDF, 91 MB)(opens new window) 
• Part 2 - Area description LNRS Part 2 (PDF, 8 MB)(opens new window)
• Part 3 - Appendices LNRS Part 3 (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)

To provide your consultation feedback:

The consultation for the LNRS is now closed. We will now make edits and a report will be produced dealing with all comments we received.

Democratic processes and sign off 

Actions and dates:

• Formal Public Consultation, planned from 4 March to 16 April
  • Opportunity for the public to comment on the LNRS
• Full Council sign-off, planned for 22 July (subject to change)
  • The LNRS will go through the Environment Select Committee, Cabinet, and then to Full Council to sign off on council adoption of the LNRS
  • Supporting authority 28 day sign off period (Swindon Borough Council and the New Forest National Park Authority have 28 days to sign off the publication version of the LNRS)
• Fully adopted LNRS sent to DEFRA

More details on these steps will be provided as we undertake them. If you have any queries about the strategy or our work, email localnaturerecoverystrategy@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

Aims of the strategy

The Environment Act 2021 - Local nature recovery strategies (legislation.gov.uk) (opens new window) is a mechanism to deliver nature recovery at a local and regional scale.

The Wiltshire and Swindon LNRS is under development and will consist of a strategy document and a map which will: 

• agree priorities for nature's recovery
• map the most valuable existing areas for nature
• map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals

For further information, read Policy paper: Local nature recovery strategies (gov.uk) (opens new window).

Why the strategy is needed

Great Britain is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world with nearly one in six species threatened with extinction. The UK's comprehensive Report on the UK’s current biodiversity (stateofnature.org.uk) (opens new window), report shows that wildlife is continuing to decline, largely due to the continuing intensification of human land use which, alongside climate change is resulting in a loss of the biodiversity we rely on and action is urgently needed.

By mapping where important habitats can be conserved, restored and connected, Wiltshire and Swindon's LNRS will allow effort and funding to be funnelled into the most important areas, supporting Nature Recovery across the landscape. The LNRS can also help to achieve the multiple environmental benefits that nature brings to people, such as: clean air and water, reduced flood risk and socio-economic benefits such tourism or green prescribing. 

When completed, our local LNRS will be knitted together with the LNRS's created by the 48 Responsible Authorities across England to form a National Nature Recovery Network.

Wiltshire and Swindon's LNRS Governance

We have set up and appointed members to an oversight, and steering group who meet on a regular basis to assist in progressing the LNRS.