John Meehan Essex County Council

What is a Local Nature Reserve? A commitment set out in Natural Environment White Paper (too which we responded) Overall purpose: Drive positive change in the local natural environment Contribute to achieving the Governments natural environment objectives Become a local champion influencing decision making relating to the natural environment.

Location

A successful LNP requires A vision Broad membership Effective governance and leadership Be sufficiently influential and knowledgeable Demonstrate a good overview of a range of activities

The local LNP context Chair of the Commons Select Committee, Joan Walley MP, said: “Many LNPs are starved of funding and resources, meaning much of the good work in getting them up and running, is being undone. The whole country—urban as well as rural— need the natural environment protections that LNPs can provide. Rather than leave under-performing LNPs to wither away, the next Government should urgently review LNPs and their funding, and re-energise the initiative.”

Why did we want one for the Thames Gateway?

The Challenges for a LNP Resources Influence Complexity of the geographical area Focus on economic growth - jobs and homes – not place making or quality of life Does the TG LNP complement or compete? Lifescapes, NIA, TEP, PLA, BOAs, RSPB, wildlife trusts …

Identifying the Opportunities for a TG LNP Today’s conference and workshop Great projects to promote – raise awareness off Identify gaps that the LNP could help address To identify those that can help / play a part A review to refresh our thinking Interviewing all TG LNP partners Talking to other LNPs Revisiting original thinking and aligning to current needs Identifying opportunities (Strategic and / or Delivery)

We need something to focus on, something to do, to talk about, to sell, to get people to buy in to. Reinvigorate Parklands through Paramount, Ebbsfleet, London… Lead with the landscape Get that high level political and local support (post election campaign) Promote those exemplars – RSPB, KWT, EWT, Buglife Work together to do one big project a year – Emscher Party! Get GI into PLACE review Exploit the Nation Infrastructure schemes – Lower Thames X, M25, TE2100 Get Biosphere Reserve status Get RSPB in partnership building homes for people and wildlife

So …. You have Parklands You have a Nature Improvement Area (only 11 others were funded) You may soon have the first Garden City – UDC / DCLG (Michael Cassidy / Louise Wyman), new board and CEO (Robin Cooper). You are likely to see London Resort Company Holdings (aka Paramount) You have the Thames You could have a MAB Designations galore

As a board … We have Sir Terry and you but We don’t have much money We don’t have direct influence (funding, planning, setting priorities…) We lack a specific policy instrument (NPPF recognition – no duty) We lack a dedicated and resourced team We don’t yet have support from the SE LEP! We have a blue space that divides rather than unites We all have different levels of buy-in (and day jobs)

What does success look like? We focus on, we do, we want to talk about … Our reinvigorated Parklands linked to Paramount, Ebbsfleet, London… How we made the Thames Gateway special by leading with the landscape Our high level cross party support and engagement The RSPB, KWT, EWT, Buglife combined exemplar offer Our growing legacy of one big project a year – Emscher Party! How we have delivered GI through PLACE review How we influenced nation Infrastructure schemes – Lower Thames X, M25, TE2100 Our new Biosphere Reserve status (or our new type of National Park) The RSPB and a volume house builder’s 1000 home being occupied by people and house martins