Issue - meetings

The Biodiversity Manager presented the report.

The report referred to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) which was a new statutory plan as required under the Environment Act 2021. A LNRS agreed priorities for nature recovery and proposes actions in the locations where it would make a particular contribution to achieving those priorities.

Following questions, the Cabinet Member for Nature said the following:

      i.         The production of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, and Peterborough was mandated by Government and developed in line with official guidance, with support from Natural England. There were 48 of these strategies across England, each covering a distinct region, typically aligned with county or combined authority boundaries.

    ii.         The strategy provided an evidence-based plan agreed by stakeholders to reverse biodiversity decline and restore habitats at a regional scale. It integrated nature recovery into land use planning, climate adaptation, and community priorities, ensuring coordinated and effective action.

   iii.         It was expected to inform funding opportunities, including Environmental Land Management payments and future government grants. This area was one of the most nature-depleted in the country, largely due to extensive arable land, therefore it was important to restore nature wherever possible.

  iv.         The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Cambridge and Peterborough were vital as it set out a coordinated plan to restore habitats and biodiversity across the region. It would ensure nature recovery was embedded in local development and climate resilience efforts and would help shape future government funding priorities.

    v.         Biodiversity did not stop at city boundaries, so collaboration with regional partners was essential to achieve the best outcomes, particularly with upcoming changes such as the move to a unitary authority. Working together was key to delivering meaningful improvements for biodiversity.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport stated:

      i.         Had asked planning officers how the Local Nature Recovery Strategy would impact proposed development sites and proposed protected green areas in the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan.  This was demonstrated  by overlaying the Greater Cambridge Local Nature map onto the site plans, confirming that selected sites would not compromise nature objectives. Once finalised it was hoped the public would be able to access this information.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

      i.         Provide Cambridge City Council ‘supporting authority’ approval for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) to submit the final Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to the Secretary of State by 31st December 2025.

    ii.         Note the CPCA proposals for supporting implementation and delivery of the LNRS, following submission

   iii.         Authorise Officers to continue to represent Cambridge City Council as a ‘Supporting Authority’ at future LNRS steering group or alternative forums as they collectively move towards delivery and monitoring phase of the LNRS.