West Northamptonshire Council started a public consultation on February 11, 2026, to let people in Northampton, Northamptonshire, help design the area’s first local plan for restoring nature. This new strategy will create a map showing where to grow new woodlands, expand wetlands, and build green pathways for wildlife to travel safely through the region.
The project is a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021 and aims to stop the loss of local plants and animals. The council is working with Natural England and the Wildlife Trust BCN to make sure the local plans fit with national environmental goals.
Residents can use an interactive map on the West Northamptonshire Council website to point out areas that need wildflower meadows, more trees, or better flood protection. This feedback will help decide where wildlife projects and habitat improvements should happen first.
The final version of this map will carry legal weight in future planning decisions. It will guide where money from private developers is spent on nature projects to ensure that restoration happens in the places where local people want it most.
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