Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities including (a) Thurrock, (b) Basildon, and (c) Essex councils on bringing wildlife restoration projects into suburban and rural communities.

Essex has a wealth of wildlife and holds a wide variety of nature-rich habitats, including some that are unique to this part of England.

As one of 48 Responsible Authorities appointed by the Secretary of State, Essex County Council published its Local Nature Recovery Strategy in July 2025. These strategies propose actions to improve, expand and connect nature, in both rural and urban areas. Natural England has a statutory role, providing bespoke advice and quality assurance to each LNRS, and continues to support Essex County Council as this strategy now moves into a planning and delivery phase.

The proposed actions and priorities for improving and connecting nature and greenspace in urban areas, both for the benefit of wildlife and for communities, are set out in chapters 6 and 9 of the Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The development of Essex’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been supported by 14 Borough and District Councils which have contributed local data and expertise, including local wildlife site data and species records. These Supporting Authorities include Thurrock Council, Basildon Borough Council, Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford and Colchester.

In the Thurrock area Natural England has been advising and engaging with a number of stakeholders including Thurrock Council, major infrastructure projects and other developers on how to secure long-term thriving nature alongside economic growth opportunities.

Natural England’s Sustainable Development leads are advising 14 local authorities across Essex on nature and green space through the Local Plan process, including both Basildon and Thurrock. Essex County Council has developed a Green Infrastructure Strategy which provides guidance for Planning Authorities within the county. Colchester and Southend-on-Sea are both prioritising Green Infrastructure within their Local Plans. Green Infrastructure is the term for multi-functional green spaces such as parks, gardens, wildlife areas, waterways and drainage systems which can deliver benefits for nature, for people and economic prosperity.