Steve Whitbread 4 Years Ago That's a really useful starting point, Clare. It would be great to have collective feedback from regional group discussions on this topic, as well as individual views. It's worth noting that, although they didn't appear in the 25 YEP, the Environment Bill will make the introduction of non-overlapping Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) a statutory requirement, strengthen the Biodiversity Duty on public bodies and add to to obligations on local planning authorities (LPAs). Local authorities, LERCs and some (new or existing) partnership covering the LNRS area will/should all have vital roles to play in developing, implementing and monitoring progress with each LNRS or with the work to enable these. This represents a huge opportunity for LERCs. However, it should also be pointed out that if we leave a vacuum in relation to the provision of the necessary environmental information services, others will fill it. There are few LPAs that are 'net gain ready' are present, and - with scant exceptions that might be argued - no LERCs. There will be a lot to address to realise those opportunities in the two years following the Environment Bill. I would suggest that this is an area where ALERC's role and collaboration between LERCs will be crucial. Whilst some might suggest that this only applies to England, similar New Green Deal policies and practices will follow elsewhere. It's worth noting that the major environmental consultancy, WSP, is already advertising for someone to lead on its biodiversity net gain business in Scotland. Reply 0 Reply as... Cancel