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At the beginning of 2024, the Environment Act 2021 finally came into force. One strand of that dealt with Biodiversity Net Gain - a requirement that development should enhance nature/biodiversity by a measurable amount (councils vary in their aims for this, with most at 10% but some as high as 20%).
The other strand is Nature Recovery Strategy. For all 'England's green and pleasant land', the state of UK nature is beyond dire.
Globally, the UK's in the bottom 10% for nature depletion, and a country mile behind any other G20 or G7 member, or any other European country.
These Recovery Strategies are to be prepared on a regional basis, with London as one of nearly 50 regions. At present the GLA, in the guise of its London Green Spaces data team, GiGL, is calling for suggestions, from councils, campaigns and residents, for sites to be included in the LNRS (London Nature Recovery Strategy).
This isn't something where we're asking you to sign in support. The Pinkham Way Alliance (PWA) will be submitting Pinkham Way as highly suitable - our ecological consultant, considered an authority in this field, regards the site as 'a classic candidate', since restoration will pay handsome long term biodiversity dividends both for the site itself and surrounding green spaces and SINCs (Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation). In its SINC Review, Haringey comments that with restoration the site could be upgraded to Metropolitan (London-wide) Importance.
However, for anyone who's interested in putting forward a site in London, I'm copying below a letter we received from one of the local council ecologists. It includes links to the consutlation and an interactive map where interested parties can outline the site/s they think are good candidates for the Strategy. If you want to suggest more than one site, you'll have to make separate submissions.
It's really fairly simple. If you do fancy doing it and need clarification, please send me a Private Message. When you click on the link, there'll be some text. Scroll down and the map is towards the end. There's a button at the top right corner that you can use to outline a site.
Consultation ends at midnight next Wednesday, 2nd October.
Thanks for reading this.
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The GLA wants your help to identify where action for nature should be prioritised in London, using an interactive mapping tool. You can access and add your suggestions to the interactive map here: LNRS Interactive Map (arcgis.com)
You can add opportunities for nature recovery (both habitats and species) and identify constraints such as threats from proposed developments.
This interactive map is open to all organisations and individuals across London, so please share this with others living and working in Greater London.
The map will be open for input until 23:59 on Wednesday 2nd October.
The GLA will use the map, alongside other inputs, to set out the priorities for London’s nature in the London Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). The Draft London LNRS will be published for public consultation in Spring 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the interactive map, please email biodiversity@london.gov.uk
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