Strategy to help nature thrive across East Sussex launches

THE first strategy designed to reverse the decline in biodiversity across East Sussex has been published.

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove have been shaped by the views and knowledge or more than 2,000 local people.

Nature underpins vital sectors of the East Sussex economy such as farming and tourism, access to nature supports our health and wellbeing, and working with nature can help tackle pressures such as flood risk and water quality.

The strategy sets out eight principles, 24 priorities and more than 100 practical actions that can be taken to help create, enhance and connect habitats and support species to thrive, targeting these to the areas where we would deliver the greatest benefits for wildlife and people.

Measures that can be taken by farmers, residents, community groups and organisations to improve habitats include enhancing the condition of existing sand dune habitats like Camber Sands, the habitat most at risk in Europe and considered irreplaceable.

The water vole has suffered long term declines across Britain, and populations are critically low in East Sussex with over 90 per cent lost in the last 30 years.  Bankside management and the creation of wetland would help the regionally important populations found in Pett and Rye Levels and Lewes Brooks.

Improving the management of our woodland and hedgerows would support the hazel dormouse for which East Sussex is a stronghold, and creating an improved network of habitats which will support the endangered grey long-eared bat of which East Sussex has seen an increase.

Cllr Peter Griffiths, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for environment, said:  “I grew up playing on the Downs, when sheep were much more prevalent and bird life and butterflies were numerous. As a young boy, I fished in the Ouse and Cuckmere. I wholeheartedly support these measures to increase the numbers and diversity of our native species, and I would love to see our rivers and sea return to the water quality they once enjoyed.”

He added: “More than half of the area covered by this strategy has special designation for its natural beauty including internationally important wetlands, and East Sussex is one of the most wooded counties in England with a number of ancient woodlands.

“We are extremely lucky to live in a county with such a rich natural heritage, and this strategy will go a long way towards restoring, creating and enhancing habitats and species including the spiked rampion plant and Adonis blue butterfly.”

The publication of the East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Local Nature Recovery Strategy – one of 48 across England – marks the end of the strategy’s preparation phase and the start of implementation which will build on the work already happening across Sussex.

James Seymour, Natural England deputy director for Sussex and Kent, said: “Having worked in conservation in Sussex for over 25 years, the publication of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy represents a real first. The outcome of coming together to collectively discuss how we restore nature, so that everyone can contribute to shaping a shared strategy for Sussex.

“This builds on the successes achieved to date, but also reflects a clear recognition that, without a more joined-up approach and sustained investment, we will not meet our ambition of restoring nature. The LNRS provides the framework to achieve this. Ultimately, it highlights both the necessity and the opportunity of working together to restore nature, and the value this will bring to everyone living and working in Sussex.”  

The full strategy including priorities and measures and a local habitat map can be found at SussexNatureRecovery.org.uk

Ends.

Karen Bowles

Thursday, 30 July 2026