Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)
Local Nature Recovery Strategies are plans that help restore and protect nature across England. They identify the most important places for nature and where action can make the biggest difference.
The Berkshire LNRS helps to guide:
- planning and development: how and where developers could invest in or deliver their new Biodiversity Net Gain duties through offsetting or allocating sites for nature
- policy formulation and decision taking: the National Planning Policy Framework requires Policy and Development management take account of the Berkshire LNRS.
Why Local Nature Recovery Strategies are needed
The Environment Act 2021 requires every county area in England to prepare a LNRS. There are 48 strategies across England. Together, they form a Nature Recovery Network, helping wildlife habitats become bigger, better and more connected.
The rules and requirements for how these are produced and what they must include are set out in supporting regulations:
The Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (October 2025)
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead were responsible for developing the Berkshire LNRS. They worked in partnership with over 40 organisations including Natural England and the Environment agency, as well as Berkshire Councils and residents.
The strategy covers the former Berkshire area listed below:
- Bracknell Forest Council
- Reading Borough Council
- Royal Borough Windsor and Maidenhead
- Slough Borough Council
- West Berkshire District Council
- Wokingham Borough Council.
Documents in the strategy
The strategy includes four documents:
- Local Habitat Map – shows important habitats and areas where nature recovery could take place.
- Description of Berkshire – provides background information about the area, including its landscapes and wildlife.
- List of Priorities and Measures – explains the key actions needed to support nature recovery.
- Species Priorities List – identifies species that need the most support.
You can find out more information and download the LNRS from the Berkshire Local Nature Recovery webpage of the RMWM website.
Biodiversity and Ecology in Slough
You can find out more on our biodiversity and ecology duties page.