The Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is a new framework that sets out how nature in Sussex will be protected, restored and better connected over the coming decades. It translates national ambitions for nature recovery into a clear, locally driven plan, showing where action will make the biggest difference for wildlife, climate resilience and people. For landowners, farmers, developers and communities, it is becoming the key reference point for where and how to invest in nature.

At its heart, the Sussex LNRS identifies priority habitats and species, then maps the places where restoring or creating habitat will deliver the greatest gains. This includes strengthening core areas such as ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands and wetlands, as well as the corridors that link them across the landscape. By focusing on these strategic zones, the strategy aims to move beyond scattered, disconnected projects towards a genuinely joined-up nature network that can cope with climate change and other pressures.

A crucial feature of the LNRS is that it is locally informed. Ecologists, local authorities, conservation organisations, farmers and community groups all feed in evidence and experience about what is special in Sussex and where it is most under threat. Eco-Logical Landscapes have been part of this process, we understand intimately the needs of the local area and are working with local partners to protect and enhance the Sussex countryside. This means the resulting strategy reflects both ecological priorities and local realities: soil types, land use, flood risk, recreational pressure and the needs of rural communities and the wider economy.

For developers and planners, the Sussex LNRS is particularly important because it will increasingly guide decisions about biodiversity net gain, green infrastructure and where off-site habitat creation is most appropriate. Aligning biodiversity net gain units or mitigation projects with LNRS priorities helps demonstrate that investment in nature is not just compensating for loss but actively contributing to a wider, strategic vision. In practice, that can de‑risk planning, make it easier to justify proposals and provide a stronger narrative for stakeholders and local communities.

For farmers and landowners, the strategy can act as a roadmap for future funding opportunities, including environmental land management schemes and private markets such as biodiversity net gain or carbon. Knowing which habitats and locations are prioritised helps shape long-term land management decisions and business plans. Ultimately, the Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy is about making it easier for everyone in the county to pull in the same direction: creating a richer, more resilient landscape where nature and people can thrive together.

Eco-logical Landscapes is actively aligning its work with the Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy to ensure every habitat it creates contributes to the bigger picture for nature. By using the LNRS maps and priorities as a blueprint, the team selects sites and designs habitat banks in locations that strengthen ecological networks rather than creating isolated pockets of green. This means new grasslands, woodlands and wetlands are positioned where they will connect existing assets, support priority species and enhance resilience to climate change.

For developers looking to purchase offsite BNG units, this joined-up approach adds real value: biodiversity net gain units purchased through Eco-logical Landscapes can be clearly shown to support locally agreed nature recovery priorities, helping to satisfy planners, build community trust and deliver genuinely meaningful gains for Sussex’s landscapes. For landowners considering leasing their land for BNG you'll know that we are working diligently to make well informed choices for your land, taking into account the needs of the whole community.