Wiltshire councils collaborate with public on nature project

Although the county of Wiltshire is governed by two councils - Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council - there are few occasions where the two come together in a collaborative effort to tackle county-wide issues.

A local Nature Recovery Strategy has been mandated for every part of England by the government, and the leading councils in Wiltshire are now asking the public to help inform their strategy.

Despite having mapped out the areas in Swindon and Wiltshire where future nature improvement projects could be provided, both councils say that this project must be locally led in order to work.

Wiltshire and Swindon councils are calling on those who know the county's landscape best (Image: Getty Images)

“We depend on nature for everything and now nature really needs our help," said Councillor Dominic Muns, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment.

“We will be seeking to collaborate with local people, farmers and landowners on this vital work and asking people to give us their views, either by completing an online survey or by signing up to attend one of two online webinars we are holding.”

Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, added: “We have been working with Wiltshire Council and Natural England for more than two years to establish the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

"I’m really pleased we are about to enter the second engagement phase with local communities to get their views.

“The LNRS will deliver on all three of our council missions to build a better, fairer and greener Swindon by ensuring developers focus on biodiversity net gain, improving our open spaces and working with communities.

"I would encourage as many people as possible in Swindon and Wiltshire to have their say on the strategy."

The view over Barbury Castle near Swindon (Image: Getty Images)

Staff at the New Forest National Park will also work closely with the two councils, as five per cent of the national park is in Wiltshire and so the strategy plan will also affect them.

To share your feedback on the current areas which are most in need of nature recovery, you can join one of the two online webinars taking place on July 23 from 7am-8.30am (for farmers and landowners) or July 25 at 6pm-7.30pm (for all residents).

Feedback on the draft map can also be given via the survey which will be available on the Wiltshire Council website from Monday, July 22 until Friday, August 9.