Call for nature sites

We are asking local landowners and leaseholders to help us identify land that could potentially contribute to nature recovery across Bath and North East Somerset.

What is a nature site?

A nature site is the term used for any land that could be enhanced or restored to create habitat for nature.

What are we proposing to do?

We are making a public request to identify landowners and leaseholders within Bath and North East Somerset with an interest in managing their land more positively for nature. This will allow us to build a picture of land available for enhancement and restoration, supporting our wider work to develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

We will assess the information you submit to us and explore opportunities to contribute to nature's recovery.

Why are we proposing to do it?

We declared an Ecological Emergency in July 2020, recognising the severity and consequences of the degradation of the natural environment and loss of wildlife.

Increasing the amount of land and waterways managed positively for nature and supporting others to act is an important part of our plan to tackle the Ecological Emergency and restore nature. Read our Ecological Emergency Action Plan to find out what else we're doing to tackle the Ecological Emergency. 

To achieve our vision of Bath & North East Somerset Council becoming nature positive by 2030, we need to make more long-term, better connected space for nature to recover and thrive. 

What does it mean to be nature positive?

Nature positive is the term used to describe a net positive contribution towards nature's recovery.

Before you submit a site

We recommend you consider the habitats and species you would like to support and how they would work alongside adjoining habitats and land use, and the long term management of the land.

You can explore the West of England Nature Recovery Network maps, which show areas considered strategically significant for nature recovery.

We are particularly interested in identifying land with nature recovery potential that is located next to existing local wildlife sites and key habitat, such as wetlands, woodlands and flower-rich grasslands.

We will not be able to give advice to people who want to create a nature site in a residential gardens. If you are interested in making space for nature within your garden and would like guidance, please visit our What you can do to help nature page.

WarningPlease do not resubmit sites. If you need to update any site details or if a site becomes unavailable for nature recovery, please contact us directly by emailing nature_recovery@bathnes.gov.uk

How can you respond?

Online

You can submit proposed sites at any time through our online form.

During the submission process, you will be asked to outline the proposed site using an online mapping tool.

How to use our mapping tool

Zoom the map to an appropriate size to focus on the area you want to propose. Click on Draw an area.

Select the polygon tool (hexagon button) on the right-hand side of the map to draw a shape.

Click on the screen to create and connect points, to draw the outline of your shape.

Click the Finished drawing button, and answer the questions which appear. Click Submit once you are ready.

By post

You can download, print and complete a paper version of the online form.

All paper forms should be accompanied by an annotated plan showing the site clearly outlined and its relation to nearby or bordering land, noting any relevance to neighbouring habitats and areas of landscape or heritage interest.

Please post your forms and plans to:

Green Infrastructure & Nature Recovery
Lewis House
Manvers Street
Bath
BA1 1JG

What’s next?

We will assess the information you submit to us against a series of mapped data sets of interest and relevance to local and regional nature recovery targets. We undertake this desktop review to ensure that any nature site proposals are beneficial and compliment existing species and habitat interests, not damage them.

We aim to respond to each submission and will confirm whether the site will be added to our nature sites map. The map shows the location of land where there is landowner interest in delivering nature recovery projects which align with strategic nature recovery ambitions and objectives. This map allows our partners and stakeholders to help identify opportunities for investment or partnership work.

Please note that personal details (including contact details) will not be made available through the mapping system. Any contact from our partners will be made through the council.

View nature sites on a map

Contact us

If you need more information or support with your submission, please email us at nature_recovery@bathnes.gov.uk.

We carry out and publish Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) to check the possible impact of our policies and proposals on equalities groups.