A plan to restore wildlife habitats across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, including targets to create 500 hectares of woodland and 10 kilometres of native hedgerow, will be considered by county councillors this month.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy sets out priorities for supporting wildlife and identifies where action could make the biggest difference to nature across the area.
Developed with communities, farmers, landowners, environmental organisations, and with the support of other local authorities in the county, the strategy will help guide local decision-making and target work to restore and improve habitats over the coming years.
Alongside woodland and hedgerow creation, its targets include restoring 20 neglected historic orchards or creating new traditional orchards, restoring or creating 30 hectares of heathland, and re-wetting 50 hectares of habitats such as bogs, peatland and fen.
A Local Habitat Map identifies places already important for wildlife, alongside areas where habitats could be created or improved.
The strategy follows an eight-week public consultation during June and July, supported by engagement events and two webinars. Feedback helped shape the final strategy and map, with farmers and landowners also able to suggest where land should be added or removed from the mapping.
Staffordshire County Council has led its development through the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Nature Recovery Partnership. Partners include Stoke-on-Trent City Council, district and borough councils, the Peak District National Park Authority, Natural England, wildlife organisations and farming and community representatives.
Patrick Allen, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:
Staffordshire’s countryside is home to a huge variety of wildlife, habitats and landscapes, and we have a responsibility to protect them. This strategy gives us a clear plan for restoring habitats, supporting wildlife and preventing biodiversity loss.
It has been shaped by communities, farmers, landowners and environmental organisations, and I want to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and helped us get to this point. Now we need to turn that plan into action so future generations can continue to enjoy nature just as we do.”
The strategy is a requirement of the Environment Act 2021. If publication is approved, the nature recovery partnership will oversee delivery, helping partners focus their efforts on projects that support the area’s wildlife and habitats.
The strategy is to be considered at cabinet on 18 November.
More info on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy can be found here.
