Local nature recovery strategy and strategic partnerships
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are a new legal requirement arising from the Environment Act (2021). There are 47 spatial strategies covering the whole of England. The one for West Sussex is being produced by West Sussex County Council as the responsible body. They will support the delivery of biodiversity net gain and provide a focus for the strengthened biodiversity duty on all public authorities to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
Arun District Council is part of the Supporting Authorities Group, helping to support the creation of this strategy through the provision of evidence and advice.
West Sussex County Council is working closely with East Sussex County Council as the neighbouring Responsible Authority. Strategies for both counties are being developed under the banner of 'Sussex Nature Recovery'. More information on the LNRS can be found at Sussex Nature Recovery.
The draft LNRS documents for West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove were published for comment in autumn 2025, and it is expected that they will be finalised in spring 2026. When in place, the strategies will be reviewed at the appropriate time to assess what actions for nature have been taken since the strategy was published.
Sussex Nature Partnership
We are an active member of the Sussex Nature Partnership. This is a joint venture between all the councils in East and West Sussex with an aim to provide a coordinated source of information, knowledge-sharing and expertise around nature recovery, nature-based solutions and biodiversity net gain.
Further information can be viewed on the Sussex Nature Partnership website.
Three Harbours
The Three Harbours is a partnership of organisations working together to restore the landscape across the Three Harbours of Langstone, Chichester and Pagham focusing on water quality, biodiversity and carbon capture. A significant part of Pagham Harbour is located within Arun, and Arun District Council is a partner organisation of Three Harbours.
The Three Harbours has defined a clear vision to 2050 in that they envisage a healthy and thriving water environment where restored and connected sea and landscapes are resilient to a new climate reality, enabling people and nature to adapt and flourish together. The vision will be achieved by reversing the decline and helping nature thrive across the area through the expertise, network and resources of the partnership.
You can find out more on the Three Harbours website.
Sussex Bay
Sussex Bay is a partnership which seeks to deliver a regional vision for over 100 miles of coastline where the seascape and rivers flourish. The aim is to create a healthy blue ecosystem in which nature, people and the local economy can thrive. Sussex Bay supports nature recovery across Sussex, from Selsey Bill to Camber Sands, including its intertidal river systems, coastline and marine area out to 12 nautical miles. This includes all the coastline within the Arun area.
Further information can be found on the Sussex Bay website.
Weald to the Waves
Weald to Waves aims to create a 100-mile nature recovery corridor across Sussex, encompassing over 20,000 hectares of contiguous habitat. This project relies on successful collaboration with local organisations and individuals to deliver practical projects that create habitat connections and improvements for wildlife.
Further information can be found on the Weald to Waves website.
Western Sussex Rivers Trust
We are part of the partnership which works together to restore the Arun and western streams catchment. The vision is to deliver a thriving river, wetland and coastal systems where everyone works together to restore and protect our natural environment for the benefit of both people and wildlife, now and for future generations.
Further information can be found on the Western Rivers Trust website.