A new plan aimed at protecting and restoring wildlife across Telford and Wrekin has been officially published. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a collaboration between Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council, and Natural England, provides a shared framework to boost biodiversity throughout the region.
The strategy was shaped by public feedback, drawing on almost 4,000 responses from residents, local businesses, and conservation groups. It serves as a guide for landowners and developers to support nature, such as through the creation of habitats for rare local species like the curlew and the pine marten. The plan is practical and does not introduce new regulations or restrictions on land use, instead offering a collaborative approach to help communities improve local green spaces.
This initiative is part of a broader effort across England, mandated by the Environment Act 2021. For rural landowners, the strategy includes potential benefits, such as a 15% increase in value for Biodiversity Net Gain units when selling to developers within identified priority areas.
The new strategy builds on recent work by the council to expand nature protection. As of December 2025, more than 1,000 hectares of local land have been protected through the council’s Green Guarantee sites and Local Nature Reserves. In February 2026, the council approved plans for further growth in these reserves, including new sites at the Newport canal area and Hurley Brook. These protected areas are highly valued by the community, with recent modelling suggesting they receive over 4 million visits annually.
While the council continues to push for environmental expansion, the approach has faced some local political debate. Conservative opposition leader Councillor Andrew Eade has expressed concerns regarding the impact these designations have on development land, arguing that such measures may limit growth in the borough.
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