LNRS: what are they and why do they matter?

These strategies are designed to identify opportunities for nature recovery at a strategic level, mapping areas where habitat restoration, creation, and enhancement should be prioritised. This makes them relevant not only for those promoting development but also for landowners seeking to leverage their landholdings for biodiversity enhancements.

The updated Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) confirms that LNRS should be considered in planning decisions and Local Plans. However, uncertainty remains about how they will be integrated into decision-making and the weight they will carry in the planning process.

Below we outline some key actions for developers and landowners, which follows our response to the Planning Reform Working Paper on Development and Nature Recovery:

Monitoring and early engagement
All responsible authorities – typically county councils and some unitary authorities – in England are now preparing LNRS, with draft strategies emerging. Some, including the West of England, have already adopted their strategies. Developers and landowners should track how their sites and landholdings are referenced in these documents.

Engaging early with responsible authorities provides an opportunity to influence emerging LNRS priorities before they are finalised.

Understanding alignment with site promotion
LNRS may influence site allocations in Local Plans, particularly where development is proposed in areas identified for nature recovery.

Aligning site promotion with LNRS objectives – such as integrating off-site biodiversity enhancements and tailoring on-site green/blue infrastructure – can help de-risk planning applications and demonstrate positive environmental outcomes.

Factor LNRS into planning strategies
In addition to LNRS, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduces Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), which will be prepared by Natural England to provide a structured approach to biodiversity planning.

Developers should evaluate how LNRS and EDPs will impact site allocations and mitigation strategies, especially with the introduction of the Nature Restoration Levy that will influence biodiversity investment decisions. Coordination between Natural England and responsible authorities will be crucial when preparing EDPs to ensure consistency and avoid duplication.

LNRS will be a significant factor in planning decisions, and developers must ensure their proposals align with these frameworks to strengthen their planning cases and reduce environmental risks.

Consider the implications for off-site biodiversity delivery
Many planning authorities are still determining how LNRS will be used in off-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and other environmental contributions.

The Nature Restoration Levy will shape how biodiversity gains are funded. Developers should assess whether LNRS policies and the levy will affect site viability, particularly where on-site biodiversity delivery is not feasible. For a practical guide on masterplanning for BNG, click here.

A strategic opportunity

LNRS should not be viewed merely as another layer of environmental policy. Instead, they represent an opportunity to take a coordinated approach to biodiversity planning, aligning nature recovery with long-term land and development strategies.

Early engagement with LNRS could provide a competitive advantage – whether by shaping policy, strengthening planning applications, or identifying new biodiversity investment opportunities. 

The next 12 months will be critical in influencing how these strategies are implemented and ensuring they support both development and nature recovery objectives. We would also welcome a careful approach to the Nature Restoration Levy given that it has the ability to impact viability, particularly for smaller housebuilders and developers.

Further information

Contact Andrew Watson or Joe Dance