1.         that as the Supporting Authority Torbay Council, consent be provided for the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to be published; and

2.         that delegated authority be provided to Director of Pride in Place (as designated Supporting Authority lead officer), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth and Cabinet Member Pride in Place, Transport and Parking, to approve any non- substantive amendments to the LNRS prior to publication (or post publication).

The final draft Devon LNRS addresses requirements set out in the Environment Act 2021.  The LNRS has been prepared by Devon County Council (DCC) as the Responsible Authority (RA) in collaboration with a wide range of partners, including Torbay Council.  Torbay Council is a Supporting Authority (SA) in the process.

The Strategy needed to be finalised early 2026 in order for Devon to meet the statutory deadlines. The draft LNRS was made available for public consultation for 6 weeks in the autumn of 2025 and some minor amendments had been made to reflect the consultation feedback where practicable.

There were no alternative options considered.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 2 March 2026 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

England was considered to be one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world following historic losses and ongoing declines. The Government had made legally binding commitments to end these declines and for nature to recover. Part of this commitment included a statutory requirement for the preparation of LNRS for identified areas across the Country.

All public authorities have a duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity and must have ‘regard’ to relevant local nature recovery strategies in this process. The LNRSs are new spatial strategies that would inform nature recovery at a strategic local level, by mapping habitats, features and key species to identify opportunities and priorities to boost ecological connectivity, diversity and abundance. They would support the delivery of biodiversity net gain and provide a focus for the strengthened duty on all public authorities to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

At the Cabinet meeting, Councillor Chris Lewis proposed and Councillor Bye seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously, as set out above.

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