Hurst Parish Council

NEWS - Local Nature Reserve

The Parish Council has written to a local landowner to explore the possibility of designating some of their land as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Obviously this is a big step for the landowner to take, so it may take some time to get a formal reply. In the meantime the Parish Council are making further enquires with English Nature and Parish Councils who have been through the process of designating a LNR.

At this early stage it is essential that we gain sufficient knowledge of the costs and liabilities, before committing public money. It is clear that should this project go ahead, we will require the assistance of many people to manage, maintain and fund the LNR's upkeep.

What are Local Nature Reserves?

Local Nature Reserves (or LNRs) are for both people and wildlife. They are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally, which give people special opportunites to study and learn about them or simply enjoy and have contact with nature.

English Nature recommends that LNRs should be:

normally greater than 2ha in size and
capable of being managed with the conservation of nature and/or the maintenance of special opportunities for study, research or enjoyment of nature as the priority concern and one or more of the following:
of high natural interest in the local context
of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for formal education or research
of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for the informal enjoyment of nature by the public

Stag Beatle

How are Local Nature Reserves declared?

Local Nature Reserve (or LNR) is a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 by principal local authorities. Parish and town councils can also declare LNRs but they must have the powers to do so delegated to them by the principal local authority.

To establish a LNR the declaring local authority must first have a legal interest in the land concerned, for example, they could own it, lease it or have a nature reserve agreement with the owner.
The land must lie within the area which the declaring authority controls.
Parish Councils are also local authorities as defined under Section 270 of the Local Government Act 1972.
Town Councils are equal to Parish Councils as defined under Section 245(6)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972.
With the agreement of both parties, therefore, a principal local authority can delegate its powers to declare a LNR to a Parish or Town Council (under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972).

To declare a LNR the following steps should then be taken:

a formal declaration should be drawn up accompanied by a map at a scale which accurately shows the LNR boundary.
the declaration should be agreed by the relevant local authority committees.
a public notice announcing the declaration should be placed in a local paper and copies of the declaration and map made available for the public to inspect free of charge.
the local authority should formally notify the English Nature area team of the LNR declaration in writing and send them a copy of the declaration and map.

Red Kite

How are Local Nature Reserves managed?

A Local Nature Reserve (or LNR) must, at the very least, be managed so that the features which gave the site its special interest are maintained. Well managed, the LNR will continue to make an important contribution to local biodiversity which future generations of people can enjoy.

In declaring a LNR the local authority accepts a responsiblity to ensure that the special interest of the site is maintained. It must, therefore, consider who will be responsible for managing the LNR and what money will be needed.

Many LNRs are managed by local community volunteer groups, 'friends of' groups or organisations like the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Wildlife Trusts in agreement with the local authority. Some LNRs have Steering Groups or Junior Management Boards, made up of local school children, to help guide development and management of the LNR. Indeed, LNRs are used extensively by schools and LNR managers should seek the involvement of the local education authority so that the full potential of the LNR for education is realised.

More information available from English Nature

Download Local Nature Reserves pdf (555kb)

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