Local Nature Recovery Strategy

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This consultation has concluded. Thank you to everyone who took part.

Please read on to see the information presented when the consultation was live:

West Yorkshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy statutory consultation is open until Sunday 16 November. We want to know your views on the strategy.

You can read the full draft strategy here and you can see the Easy Read version of the strategy here.

You can choose between our summary and detailed surveys. The summary survey should only take a few minutes to complete and lets you share your overall views of the strategy. The detailed survey lets you provide additional feedback on individual priorities within the strategy.

Take part in the detailed survey here
Take part in the summary survey here


The strategy’s proposed measures are the actions we want to happen. The proposed measures can be accessed here.

A draft Local Habitat Map is also part of the strategy. This is a digital map that shows core areas for nature, actions that could be done to help nature, and areas that could become important for biodiversity. It has been developed using desk-based mapping, using available data. We want you to explore parts of the map that are relevant to you. Add your comments so we can improve the map’s accuracy based on your knowledge and expertise.

You can access the map here (you will also be directed to it after completing the survey). Please note: the map may not work on your phone, so, if possible, use a computer/laptop device.

Farmers, landowners and land agents: throughout the consultation period we’re running online 1:1s where you can discuss the strategy and digital map with us in more detail. If you are keen to understand and discuss what the measures (actions) mean for you, you’re invited to book a slot to find out more. Bookings are on a first come, first served basis and can be booked here.

Young people: we have a short questionnaire especially for young people under 16-years-old. Visit the young people's Your Voice page here.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates. Please email naturerecovery@westyorks-ca.gov.uk to be added to our mail list.


What are Local Nature Recovery Strategies?

Around the world, many natural places are undergoing a catastrophic decline in wildlife and plants, and England is one of the most nature-depleted countries. More than 80 per cent of wetlands have been lost due to water drainage and river canalisation, while nearly half of the rivers in Yorkshire have been physically modified, and many are in poor ecological condition. This has greatly reduced biodiversity and impacted the natural processes that provide flood protection, climate regulation and urban cooling that are so important for resilient local communities. Nearly 2,000 species may have disappeared over the past 200 years; of those that remain, almost one in five have seen their populations decline by more than 25 per cent over the past 20-30 years. Today, a further 3,000 species in Yorkshire are at risk of extinction.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies propose how and where to help nature to recover. They target action in places where it is most needed, will have the most impact and will result in the best environmental outcomes. The strategies improve the environment by boosting biodiversity, as well as achieving wider benefits, such as flood controls and improvements to air quality, which benefit our health. Collectively, 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies across England will help to join up national efforts to reverse the decline of biodiversity.

Find out more about Local Nature Recovery Strategies here.

West Yorkshire has a powerful story to tell

West Yorkshire supports a wonderful range of landscapes and wildlife, from hills, peat bogs, craggy river valleys and rolling farmland, to nature reserves on old industrial sites, urban parks, allotments and canals. This environment underpins our lives and the lives of all other species. Nature offers recreation and beauty, supports physical and mental health, and it provides benefits such as food, carbon storage, clean air and flood management – all essential services for life on earth.

There has been a huge deterioration in the health of the natural environment. This is due to complex factors that include habitat loss, pesticides, disease, pollution and climate change. In our region, water voles are struggling to survive, hedgehogs are in decline and pockets of species-rich ancient woodland are few and far between.


A photograph of Ilkley town overlooked from Ilkley Moor (Cow and Calf Rocks)Ilkley town overlooked from Ilkley Moor (Cow and Calf Rocks) 

Our vision

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has pledged to tackle the climate and environment emergency. Restoring nature, biodiversity and wildlife habitats is at the heart of that ambition, as Mission 4 – A sustainable West Yorkshire – making lives greener in our West Yorkshire Plan shows.

We will build a sustainable, nature-rich and climate-ready region that supports businesses and seizes the opportunities of a carbon-free economy, building resilience to the environmental challenges of the future.

Together, we will celebrate, protect and invest in nature, enhancing our rural and urban green spaces, parks, rivers, canals, valleys and moorland and shape the next chapter of our unique West Yorkshire story and the strategy’s emerging aim: For West Yorkshire to pioneer post-industrial nature recovery and forge a just, green, revolution from moor to forest, peak to valley, river to city – a bigger, better, more joined up nature network.


Our previous consultation and engagement activities

The Mayor’s Big Climate Chat asked people in West Yorkshire what they thought about the climate, changes they want to see in our region and how we could best support them.

We asked for your views in a survey last year. This has already helped to ensure that our region’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy is ambitious, practical and useful. The results of that survey are here.

We’ve also engaged with communities throughout our region, including farmers, businesses and young people. And we have worked with many organisations, partners and local experts to develop the strategy. You can find out more about these in the Report of Engagement here.

Greenhead College’s priorities for nature recovery in West Yorkshire was developed following engagement with their students in 2025:


Greenhead College manifestoGreenhead College manifesto


We hosted a survey last year, asking for views on nature. Some of the results showed:

  • 98% agreed that being in nature makes them happy
  • 96% agreed that greenspaces are good places for mental health and wellbeing
  • 81% agreed that greenspaces encourage physical health and exercise
  • 75% said that the biggest barrier to spending more time outdoors is lack of time (work, caring and home responsibilities).
  • “The environment should be central to any local or national strategies not just an add on. Any economic or social developments should have the environment and nature integrated with their thinking and ideas.” - survey respondent

Get in touch

If you, or someone you know, would like to know more, you can:

Inspire us!

If you’ve got stories, photos or case studies about supporting nature, wildlife and biodiversity, we’d love to hear what you’ve been up to.

If you'd like to share something please email naturerecovery@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. If you’re sharing a photo, please complete this consent form and let us know where the photo was taken. We may be able to include photos in our final strategy.

Please read on to see the information presented when the consultation was live:

West Yorkshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy statutory consultation is open until Sunday 16 November. We want to know your views on the strategy.

You can read the full draft strategy here and you can see the Easy Read version of the strategy here.

You can choose between our summary and detailed surveys. The summary survey should only take a few minutes to complete and lets you share your overall views of the strategy. The detailed survey lets you provide additional feedback on individual priorities within the strategy.

Take part in the detailed survey here
Take part in the summary survey here


The strategy’s proposed measures are the actions we want to happen. The proposed measures can be accessed here.

A draft Local Habitat Map is also part of the strategy. This is a digital map that shows core areas for nature, actions that could be done to help nature, and areas that could become important for biodiversity. It has been developed using desk-based mapping, using available data. We want you to explore parts of the map that are relevant to you. Add your comments so we can improve the map’s accuracy based on your knowledge and expertise.

You can access the map here (you will also be directed to it after completing the survey). Please note: the map may not work on your phone, so, if possible, use a computer/laptop device.

Farmers, landowners and land agents: throughout the consultation period we’re running online 1:1s where you can discuss the strategy and digital map with us in more detail. If you are keen to understand and discuss what the measures (actions) mean for you, you’re invited to book a slot to find out more. Bookings are on a first come, first served basis and can be booked here.

Young people: we have a short questionnaire especially for young people under 16-years-old. Visit the young people's Your Voice page here.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates. Please email naturerecovery@westyorks-ca.gov.uk to be added to our mail list.


What are Local Nature Recovery Strategies?

Around the world, many natural places are undergoing a catastrophic decline in wildlife and plants, and England is one of the most nature-depleted countries. More than 80 per cent of wetlands have been lost due to water drainage and river canalisation, while nearly half of the rivers in Yorkshire have been physically modified, and many are in poor ecological condition. This has greatly reduced biodiversity and impacted the natural processes that provide flood protection, climate regulation and urban cooling that are so important for resilient local communities. Nearly 2,000 species may have disappeared over the past 200 years; of those that remain, almost one in five have seen their populations decline by more than 25 per cent over the past 20-30 years. Today, a further 3,000 species in Yorkshire are at risk of extinction.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies propose how and where to help nature to recover. They target action in places where it is most needed, will have the most impact and will result in the best environmental outcomes. The strategies improve the environment by boosting biodiversity, as well as achieving wider benefits, such as flood controls and improvements to air quality, which benefit our health. Collectively, 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies across England will help to join up national efforts to reverse the decline of biodiversity.

Find out more about Local Nature Recovery Strategies here.

West Yorkshire has a powerful story to tell

West Yorkshire supports a wonderful range of landscapes and wildlife, from hills, peat bogs, craggy river valleys and rolling farmland, to nature reserves on old industrial sites, urban parks, allotments and canals. This environment underpins our lives and the lives of all other species. Nature offers recreation and beauty, supports physical and mental health, and it provides benefits such as food, carbon storage, clean air and flood management – all essential services for life on earth.

There has been a huge deterioration in the health of the natural environment. This is due to complex factors that include habitat loss, pesticides, disease, pollution and climate change. In our region, water voles are struggling to survive, hedgehogs are in decline and pockets of species-rich ancient woodland are few and far between.


A photograph of Ilkley town overlooked from Ilkley Moor (Cow and Calf Rocks)Ilkley town overlooked from Ilkley Moor (Cow and Calf Rocks) 

Our vision

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has pledged to tackle the climate and environment emergency. Restoring nature, biodiversity and wildlife habitats is at the heart of that ambition, as Mission 4 – A sustainable West Yorkshire – making lives greener in our West Yorkshire Plan shows.

We will build a sustainable, nature-rich and climate-ready region that supports businesses and seizes the opportunities of a carbon-free economy, building resilience to the environmental challenges of the future.

Together, we will celebrate, protect and invest in nature, enhancing our rural and urban green spaces, parks, rivers, canals, valleys and moorland and shape the next chapter of our unique West Yorkshire story and the strategy’s emerging aim: For West Yorkshire to pioneer post-industrial nature recovery and forge a just, green, revolution from moor to forest, peak to valley, river to city – a bigger, better, more joined up nature network.


Our previous consultation and engagement activities

The Mayor’s Big Climate Chat asked people in West Yorkshire what they thought about the climate, changes they want to see in our region and how we could best support them.

We asked for your views in a survey last year. This has already helped to ensure that our region’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy is ambitious, practical and useful. The results of that survey are here.

We’ve also engaged with communities throughout our region, including farmers, businesses and young people. And we have worked with many organisations, partners and local experts to develop the strategy. You can find out more about these in the Report of Engagement here.

Greenhead College’s priorities for nature recovery in West Yorkshire was developed following engagement with their students in 2025:


Greenhead College manifestoGreenhead College manifesto


We hosted a survey last year, asking for views on nature. Some of the results showed:

  • 98% agreed that being in nature makes them happy
  • 96% agreed that greenspaces are good places for mental health and wellbeing
  • 81% agreed that greenspaces encourage physical health and exercise
  • 75% said that the biggest barrier to spending more time outdoors is lack of time (work, caring and home responsibilities).
  • “The environment should be central to any local or national strategies not just an add on. Any economic or social developments should have the environment and nature integrated with their thinking and ideas.” - survey respondent

Get in touch

If you, or someone you know, would like to know more, you can:

Inspire us!

If you’ve got stories, photos or case studies about supporting nature, wildlife and biodiversity, we’d love to hear what you’ve been up to.

If you'd like to share something please email naturerecovery@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. If you’re sharing a photo, please complete this consent form and let us know where the photo was taken. We may be able to include photos in our final strategy.

This consultation has concluded. Thank you to everyone who took part.

Please note, your questions may be published on this page when we post an answer, so please don't include any personal information. 

If you do need to tell us personal information, such as your address, we will answer you privately. 

  • Share If you seriously want to protect nature why did you cut down a mature hedgerow and trees on Bradford Road Oakenshaw to build an unnecessary and unwanted bus lane for one bus service? on Facebook Share If you seriously want to protect nature why did you cut down a mature hedgerow and trees on Bradford Road Oakenshaw to build an unnecessary and unwanted bus lane for one bus service? on Twitter Share If you seriously want to protect nature why did you cut down a mature hedgerow and trees on Bradford Road Oakenshaw to build an unnecessary and unwanted bus lane for one bus service? on Linkedin Email If you seriously want to protect nature why did you cut down a mature hedgerow and trees on Bradford Road Oakenshaw to build an unnecessary and unwanted bus lane for one bus service? link

    If you seriously want to protect nature why did you cut down a mature hedgerow and trees on Bradford Road Oakenshaw to build an unnecessary and unwanted bus lane for one bus service?

    Evans asked 18 days ago

    Thank you for getting in touch about this. We have been asked to refer all comments regarding this scheme to Kirklees Council, so please can you email them if you haven't done so already: connecting.kirklees@kirklees.gov.uk

  • Share Why didn't my response get saved anywhere that I could access? I wanted to be able to discuss it with others but I submitted it, went to the map, and that was it. My response has gone! on Facebook Share Why didn't my response get saved anywhere that I could access? I wanted to be able to discuss it with others but I submitted it, went to the map, and that was it. My response has gone! on Twitter Share Why didn't my response get saved anywhere that I could access? I wanted to be able to discuss it with others but I submitted it, went to the map, and that was it. My response has gone! on Linkedin Email Why didn't my response get saved anywhere that I could access? I wanted to be able to discuss it with others but I submitted it, went to the map, and that was it. My response has gone! link

    Why didn't my response get saved anywhere that I could access? I wanted to be able to discuss it with others but I submitted it, went to the map, and that was it. My response has gone!

    JennyS asked 19 days ago

    Hi there, thank you for your feedback about receiving your answers once you've submitted them. That is a really nice idea and so we will consider including that function in our next surveys. If you'd still like to discuss the survey with others, you could use the paper versions, which have the questions on, and they can be found to download on the Your Voice page.

  • Share I live in hemsworth , as the survey show 81% agree that green spaces encourage physical health and exercise.At the top of highfield there is a lovely green space where kids play ,learn to ride there bikes and go sledging .Highfield rd has two school sacred heart at the bottom of the road and st Helen’s at the top we are now being told houses are going to be built which means taking away the green space . Traffic on this road has increased with traffic diverting from market street going up highfield to bypass crosshills of Tesco traffic it is an accident waiting to happen . Lorries bypassing crosshills going up and down highfield to get onto Barnsley rd Cars park up highfield for gp surgery and chemist please visit Tracy our mayor to see this area Around the green space top of highfield rd there is walking paths side of farmers fields and bypass where you can see five buzzards daily , also a selection of local birds . Recent increase of butterflies in fields with wild flowers growing in two fields which was lovely to see.I feel that because highfield rd leads up to a council estate where families are being encouraged to walk there children to school the council are not taking action to stop houses being built it is an area of deprivation and inequalities in health . I have lived in this area and we have always been encouraged to walk round the fields nature trails but I feel this is going to stop soon ,I have emailed local councillors and there has been petitions by local residents please can you help Tracy and visit this area Local children should be allowed to play in a safe place when the houses are built there will be more traffic and no land to play for kids . The football nets have been taken away .The elderly also walk on this field on Facebook Share I live in hemsworth , as the survey show 81% agree that green spaces encourage physical health and exercise.At the top of highfield there is a lovely green space where kids play ,learn to ride there bikes and go sledging .Highfield rd has two school sacred heart at the bottom of the road and st Helen’s at the top we are now being told houses are going to be built which means taking away the green space . Traffic on this road has increased with traffic diverting from market street going up highfield to bypass crosshills of Tesco traffic it is an accident waiting to happen . Lorries bypassing crosshills going up and down highfield to get onto Barnsley rd Cars park up highfield for gp surgery and chemist please visit Tracy our mayor to see this area Around the green space top of highfield rd there is walking paths side of farmers fields and bypass where you can see five buzzards daily , also a selection of local birds . Recent increase of butterflies in fields with wild flowers growing in two fields which was lovely to see.I feel that because highfield rd leads up to a council estate where families are being encouraged to walk there children to school the council are not taking action to stop houses being built it is an area of deprivation and inequalities in health . I have lived in this area and we have always been encouraged to walk round the fields nature trails but I feel this is going to stop soon ,I have emailed local councillors and there has been petitions by local residents please can you help Tracy and visit this area Local children should be allowed to play in a safe place when the houses are built there will be more traffic and no land to play for kids . The football nets have been taken away .The elderly also walk on this field on Twitter Share I live in hemsworth , as the survey show 81% agree that green spaces encourage physical health and exercise.At the top of highfield there is a lovely green space where kids play ,learn to ride there bikes and go sledging .Highfield rd has two school sacred heart at the bottom of the road and st Helen’s at the top we are now being told houses are going to be built which means taking away the green space . Traffic on this road has increased with traffic diverting from market street going up highfield to bypass crosshills of Tesco traffic it is an accident waiting to happen . Lorries bypassing crosshills going up and down highfield to get onto Barnsley rd Cars park up highfield for gp surgery and chemist please visit Tracy our mayor to see this area Around the green space top of highfield rd there is walking paths side of farmers fields and bypass where you can see five buzzards daily , also a selection of local birds . Recent increase of butterflies in fields with wild flowers growing in two fields which was lovely to see.I feel that because highfield rd leads up to a council estate where families are being encouraged to walk there children to school the council are not taking action to stop houses being built it is an area of deprivation and inequalities in health . I have lived in this area and we have always been encouraged to walk round the fields nature trails but I feel this is going to stop soon ,I have emailed local councillors and there has been petitions by local residents please can you help Tracy and visit this area Local children should be allowed to play in a safe place when the houses are built there will be more traffic and no land to play for kids . The football nets have been taken away .The elderly also walk on this field on Linkedin Email I live in hemsworth , as the survey show 81% agree that green spaces encourage physical health and exercise.At the top of highfield there is a lovely green space where kids play ,learn to ride there bikes and go sledging .Highfield rd has two school sacred heart at the bottom of the road and st Helen’s at the top we are now being told houses are going to be built which means taking away the green space . Traffic on this road has increased with traffic diverting from market street going up highfield to bypass crosshills of Tesco traffic it is an accident waiting to happen . Lorries bypassing crosshills going up and down highfield to get onto Barnsley rd Cars park up highfield for gp surgery and chemist please visit Tracy our mayor to see this area Around the green space top of highfield rd there is walking paths side of farmers fields and bypass where you can see five buzzards daily , also a selection of local birds . Recent increase of butterflies in fields with wild flowers growing in two fields which was lovely to see.I feel that because highfield rd leads up to a council estate where families are being encouraged to walk there children to school the council are not taking action to stop houses being built it is an area of deprivation and inequalities in health . I have lived in this area and we have always been encouraged to walk round the fields nature trails but I feel this is going to stop soon ,I have emailed local councillors and there has been petitions by local residents please can you help Tracy and visit this area Local children should be allowed to play in a safe place when the houses are built there will be more traffic and no land to play for kids . The football nets have been taken away .The elderly also walk on this field link

    I live in hemsworth , as the survey show 81% agree that green spaces encourage physical health and exercise.At the top of highfield there is a lovely green space where kids play ,learn to ride there bikes and go sledging .Highfield rd has two school sacred heart at the bottom of the road and st Helen’s at the top we are now being told houses are going to be built which means taking away the green space . Traffic on this road has increased with traffic diverting from market street going up highfield to bypass crosshills of Tesco traffic it is an accident waiting to happen . Lorries bypassing crosshills going up and down highfield to get onto Barnsley rd Cars park up highfield for gp surgery and chemist please visit Tracy our mayor to see this area Around the green space top of highfield rd there is walking paths side of farmers fields and bypass where you can see five buzzards daily , also a selection of local birds . Recent increase of butterflies in fields with wild flowers growing in two fields which was lovely to see.I feel that because highfield rd leads up to a council estate where families are being encouraged to walk there children to school the council are not taking action to stop houses being built it is an area of deprivation and inequalities in health . I have lived in this area and we have always been encouraged to walk round the fields nature trails but I feel this is going to stop soon ,I have emailed local councillors and there has been petitions by local residents please can you help Tracy and visit this area Local children should be allowed to play in a safe place when the houses are built there will be more traffic and no land to play for kids . The football nets have been taken away .The elderly also walk on this field

    Tina Hartley asked 22 days ago

    Thank you for getting in touch. Unfortunately the Mayor’s remit does not extend to planning – these responsibilities rest with the Local Planning Authority. You will be able to raise these concerns with them (Wakefield Council) through the planning application process. Local Nature Recovery Strategies neither direct nor preclude other land use, but will help local planning authorities to make decisions.

  • Share Are you going to properly tackle companies and private individuals, who wilfilly or just plain negligently, pollute our canals, rivers and open spaces? Poisoning wildlife and creating eyesores? Casa in Elland, is a prime example of a business that flouts the rules and seems to get away with it! Yorkshire Water also by allowing the reservoirs to get so depleted because they pay huge bonuses to failing high-up employees instead of building new reservoirs and fixing the leaks? We are paying for this to happen but ywa aren't fulfilling their obligations! It's daylight robbery and the govt is allowing us all to be shafted. on Facebook Share Are you going to properly tackle companies and private individuals, who wilfilly or just plain negligently, pollute our canals, rivers and open spaces? Poisoning wildlife and creating eyesores? Casa in Elland, is a prime example of a business that flouts the rules and seems to get away with it! Yorkshire Water also by allowing the reservoirs to get so depleted because they pay huge bonuses to failing high-up employees instead of building new reservoirs and fixing the leaks? We are paying for this to happen but ywa aren't fulfilling their obligations! It's daylight robbery and the govt is allowing us all to be shafted. on Twitter Share Are you going to properly tackle companies and private individuals, who wilfilly or just plain negligently, pollute our canals, rivers and open spaces? Poisoning wildlife and creating eyesores? Casa in Elland, is a prime example of a business that flouts the rules and seems to get away with it! Yorkshire Water also by allowing the reservoirs to get so depleted because they pay huge bonuses to failing high-up employees instead of building new reservoirs and fixing the leaks? We are paying for this to happen but ywa aren't fulfilling their obligations! It's daylight robbery and the govt is allowing us all to be shafted. on Linkedin Email Are you going to properly tackle companies and private individuals, who wilfilly or just plain negligently, pollute our canals, rivers and open spaces? Poisoning wildlife and creating eyesores? Casa in Elland, is a prime example of a business that flouts the rules and seems to get away with it! Yorkshire Water also by allowing the reservoirs to get so depleted because they pay huge bonuses to failing high-up employees instead of building new reservoirs and fixing the leaks? We are paying for this to happen but ywa aren't fulfilling their obligations! It's daylight robbery and the govt is allowing us all to be shafted. link

    Are you going to properly tackle companies and private individuals, who wilfilly or just plain negligently, pollute our canals, rivers and open spaces? Poisoning wildlife and creating eyesores? Casa in Elland, is a prime example of a business that flouts the rules and seems to get away with it! Yorkshire Water also by allowing the reservoirs to get so depleted because they pay huge bonuses to failing high-up employees instead of building new reservoirs and fixing the leaks? We are paying for this to happen but ywa aren't fulfilling their obligations! It's daylight robbery and the govt is allowing us all to be shafted.

    SandKadz asked about 1 month ago

    We agree that it is unacceptable for laws and rules to be flouted and for the natural world to be polluted. However, many of the powers to address this do not reside with the Combined Authority. That said, wherever possible we do engage with organisations using the Mayor's convening power (i.e. to pull organisations and partners together for a meeting).