East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Local Nature Recovery Strategy
What is a Local Nature Recovery Strategy?
The first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove has now been drafted and is out for a 6-week public consultation.
The production of a LNRS is a requirement from the Environment Act 2021. The aim of the LNRS is to:
• reverse biodiversity loss
• protect important places for nature
• identify opportunities to restore or create it, where it can have the most benefit for wildlife and people
The preparation of our LNRS has been led by East Sussex County Council, with close collaboration from Brighton & Hove City Council and all the East Sussex district and borough councils. It has been prepared at the same time as the West Sussex LNRS to ensure there is shared vision for nature across the whole of Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
What does our Local Nature Recovery Strategy contain?
The draft LNRS:
• contains 24 priorities for nature's recovery including one around urban nature
• includes over 100 practical actions, such as creating wildlife corridors and restoring ponds
• maps existing and potential areas for nature recovery
Once published, the LNRS will be a material consideration in all planning decisions and our City Plan must have regard to the LNRS.
How can I find out more?
The draft LNRS and an interactive map can be viewed on the West Sussex County Council engagement hub.
Paper copies of the LNRS will also be available to view in Jubilee Library from 24 October 2025.
As part of the consultation, webinars have been arranged for specific groups to learn more about the plans:
• Tuesday 21 October at 6pm for town & parish councils
• Thursday 23 October at 7pm for farmers, landowners and land managers
• Monday 3 November at 6pm for residents, groups and organisations.
Each hour-long session will give an overview of the strategies, explain how they support nature recovery, guide attendees through the background documents and interactive map, and provide information on where and how people can have their say. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions where time allows.
Register for a webinar on the Sussex Nature Recovery website.
How can I feedback my comments?
A survey is available on the West Sussex County Council engagement hub.
Consultation closes on 26 November.
Please note that all comments should be made via the online survey and any queries about the LNRS or consultation should be sent to EastSussexLNRS@eastsussex.gov.uk
What happens after the consultation?
Once consultation ends, all responses will be considered and the final LNRS is expected to be published towards the end of March 2026.
For further background information or to sign up for news about the LNRS please visit Sussex Nature Recovery | Sussex Nature Recovery