Nature Recovery
This page introduces the Local Nature Recovery Strategy being prepared by Lancashire County Council and also signposts land managers to options to finance nature recovery projects in Rossendale.
Lancashire Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)
Lancashire County Council is consulting on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Lancashire. This consultation is to have your say on the draft strategy. The LNRS aims to stop biodiversity loss and support species, conserve natural resources and build resilience to climate change, provide benefits to people, and develop partnerships for nature recovery. The draft strategy maps existing areas important for nature, proposes priorities for nature recovery, and maps opportunities for creating or improving habitats and other wider environmental goals.
Please respond to Lancashire County Council with any comments.
This consultation closes on Sunday 3 August 2025.
Scout Moor Habitat Enhancement Fund
This Fund was set up through a unilateral undertaking between United Utilities, Peel Investments and Jeremy Dearden in 2005. The Fund can pay for the restoration of blanket bogs, upland areas and/or for the delivery of favourable conditions for upland breeding birds in Rossendale and neighbouring authorities (Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Calderdale, Chorley, Hyndburn and Rochdale). Landowners and tenants can apply to small (up to £5,000) or medium grants (over £5,000) by downloading and completing the forms available at: Scout Moor Habitat Enhancement Fund (gmlrc.org) and emailing them to scoutmoorhef@gmwildlife.org.uk. Applications are assessed by a Panel which meets three to four times a year.
Biodiversity Net Gain
Land managers can now sell off-site biodiversity units to developers to fund nature recovery work. The natural habitats created or enhanced must be maintained for at least 30 years and this is secured via a legal agreement that runs with the land. More information about the process is available on the Government’s webpage: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sell-biodiversity-units-as-a-land-manager.