Planning will soon get underway to prioritise areas where nature can be expanded and protected in Berkshire after the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead received a share of £14million of government money.
The Royal Borough has been designated as Berkshire’s responsible authority for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy – one of 48 such authorities across the country.
Over the next two years, the Royal Borough will lead work with the county’s five other unitary authorities, or supporting authorities, and their communities.
The work will inform where resources are needed to improve, protect, or enlarge habitats, create corridors between them, or create new ones on land or around watercourses.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, DEFRA, has awarded the Royal Borough £238,000 which will be used to create a strategy to protect and improve natural habitats across Berkshire.
Through consultation with residents, community groups, the farming community, and businesses, a nature map of opportunities will be created, as well as a list of priorities. It is hoped to be published in the Winter of 2024.
The government’s ambition is for it to become integrated into planning processes, so areas of the greatest potential are better reflected in planning decisions. In addition, funding can be sought for specific projects within the strategy.
Councillor Karen Davies, cabinet member for climate change, biodiversity, and Windsor Town Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the nature recovery work happening across the county over the next two years.
“If you have something to say about where attention needs to be aimed, look out for the public engagement sessions and surveys where you will be able to contribute to this process.
“This is a chance to shape where we can protect and support our important natural habitats for now and the future.”
For updates and more information visit - Berkshire's Local Nature Recovery Strategy | RBWM Together.