Bedfordshire has been described as one of the more nature-impacted areas in England in a new countywide strategy approved last night by Bedford Borough Council’s Executive.
The Bedfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) warns that long-term habitat loss, development pressure and climate impacts have left the county with significantly lower levels of protected land than the national average and sets out a framework for restoring wildlife and guiding future planning decisions.
According to the LNRS, only 1.11 per cent of Bedfordshire’s land is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, compared with 8.1 per cent across England, and around six per cent of the county has any formal conservation status.
The strategy links these gaps to declining populations of species such as turtle doves, dormice and the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, and highlights the need for new habitat creation across heathlands, grasslands, woodlands and chalk streams.
Introducing the strategy at Wednesday’s Executive Meeting (10 December), portfolio holder councillor Nicola Gribble (Independent, Renhold and Ravensden) said: “Bedfordshire’s diverse natural environment is vital for residents’ well-being, community strength, and the local economy.
“But it is under growing pressure from development, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
“Urgent action is needed to protect and restore nature, as it plays a critical role in tackling climate change and supporting healthier, more resilient communities.”
“We’re building on flood plains; we need to do better”
When adopted, the LNRS will be used to inform planning decisions and the next Local Plan.
Councillor Marc Frost (Conservative, Wixams and Wilstead) said: “It’s really important that we consider this in our planning applications in more detail than we do currently.
“Because we keep building over farmland, we’re building on flood plains, and I think we need to do a better job.”
Developers who deliver habitat improvements in priority areas identified by the LNRS will receive a 15 per cent uplift in their biodiversity net gain calculations.
The Executive agreed to approve and adopt the Bedfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, in conjunction with neighbouring authorities
Approval is also required from Luton Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and Natural England before final publication.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
