More than 1,000 people share their views on nature in Leicestershire

"We will now take those responses and use them to draw up the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, targeting those projects and locations which will benefit the most."

More than 1,000 people have had their say on how best to protect and improve nature across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.

A wide range of views, ideas and suggestions were shared in the Making Space for Nature survey.

The survey asked the public about their concerns for nature, and actions which could be taken to boost it.

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda, said: "The response we have had to the Making Space for Nature surveys has been amazing, and shows just how important nature is to residents, landowners and other organisations in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.

"We will now take those responses and use them to draw up the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, targeting those projects and locations which will benefit the most.

"All views and ideas will contribute to the development of the strategy, which we will work up with our partners and consult people on before it is published in the summer of 2025.

"The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a vital piece of work which will have a huge impact on the future natural environment of Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland."

Of the 1,077 people who responded to the survey, 85 per cent said they would like to access nature more often, and 93 per cent said they enjoyed being outdoors. 90 per cent of people agreed that nature should be protected for its own sake, and said it was important for people’s health and wellbeing.

The top concerns about the effects of declining nature were extinction and decline in plant and animal species, reduction in pollinators and a reduction in access to green spaces.

The results from the surveys, workshops and other engagement events will now be used to create the new Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which will go out for public consultation at the start of 2025.