Defra has announced* that Norfolk and Suffolk’s bid to form a Local Nature Partnership (LNP) across the two counties has been successful.
Cross-county support
The bid was put forward by a core team of representatives from the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership, Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council, who have been driving forward the idea of the new partnership in a capacity building period funded by Defra.
Many sectors contributed ideas which strengthened the proposal, including environmental organisations, local businesses, tourism, health and local government and there was much support for this cross-county approach from the start.
A stronger voice for nature
The LNP, which will be known as ‘Wild Anglia’, will act at a strategic level to ensure that the natural environment is taken into account in decision making at all levels, across the two counties. It will act as an advocate for nature and will support partners such as the Wildlife Trusts and communities in delivering projects that will strengthen nature and so benefit wildlife, communities and the economy.
Wild Anglia – nature, economy, community
Through a high level board, Wild Anglia will work to promote and support activities across a range of private, public and voluntary sectors, highlighting the many advantages that a health natural environment brings to society. A Business and Biodiversity Group, with members which will include the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the National Trust, Environment Agency and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce will ensure that the economic agenda is connected with environmental goals and investment in nature.
Caroline Williams CEO at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “We are very pleased that the bid to create a Local Nature Partnership for Norfolk and Suffolk has been successful. The Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers are key partners driving the green economy forward”
Andy Wood, chairman of New Anglia LEP said: “I welcome the announcement of the Norfolk and Suffolk Local Nature Partnership; I see it as a key partner in helping New Anglia champion the green economy, which is very important to the economy of the two counties.”
Derrick Murphy, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “This is excellent news. Formation of the Partnership signals wide recognition that the natural environment not only plays an important part in our quality of life in Norfolk and Suffolk, but is also vital to our economies. At a time when populations are rising and there is more pressure for jobs and economic growth, the Local Nature Partnership will be a powerful advocate for the natural world, and at the same time help us to make the most of the opportunities that can go hand in hand with a healthy natural environment.”
Mark Bee, Leader of Suffolk County Council said: “As a member of the New Anglia LEP, I particularly welcome this opportunity to see real linkages being made between the green economy and the environment. I feel certain that the partnership will generate some excellent benefits for the area.”
“The Green Economy Pathfinder Manifesto was officially launched last month at the House of Commons by Lord Deben and Norman Lamb MP; this really puts Norfolk & Suffolk on the map of global green business and the natural environment right at the heart of this innovative approach. Wild Anglia is a welcome partner and we look forward to working together for both business and wildlife,” he continued.
These sentiments were echoed by Dr. Charles Beardall, Area Manager for the Environment Agency in the East of England, who said: “We recognise the opportunity this presents to achieve significant outcomes, not only for the environment but more importantly for the communities and businesses whose sustainability is dependent upon its existence.”
Wild Anglia will implement the recommendations of the Natural Environment White paper and report by John Lawton, seeking to deliver ‘bigger, better, more joined up’ areas where nature can thrive, and helping to protect the natural environment against threats such as climate change. It will reach out beyond traditional wildlife enthusiasts to reach new audiences and strive to turn ‘users’ of the natural environment (such as visitors to nature reserves) into contributors who reinvest in ‘natural capital’.
Haidee Bishop, coordinator at Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership said: “Our natural environment needs to be future-proofed. We will see changes in the distribution of species as our climate changes and we need to ensure there is enough connected natural habitat in Norfolk and Suffolk for species to be able to move and adapt. The same is true for the threats of urban and economic development. Wild Anglia will work to change the perception that the natural environment is necessarily an impediment to growth, and we will work with planners, developers and the business sector to do this.”
Wild Anglia will:
- Find sustainable and significant new funding to deliver landscape-scale projects through a portfolio of projects, where schemes are matched with private and public sponsors
- Collaborate with New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver common aims on the Green Economy
- Share good practice on existing landscape-scale projects, and encourage the development of new projects
- Create efficiencies through cross-county working
- Develop and maintain new relationships with government and the Health and Business sectors
An exciting period now lies ahead, with immediate priorities to publish a manifesto setting out Wild Anglia’s vision and route map , launch a Business and Biodiversity group, compile a ‘State of the Environment’ baseline audit for Norfolk and Suffolk and immediately to input to an exemplar green infrastructure project in North East Norwich.
