Nature Conservation: Essex
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions have taken place with local authorities in Essex on protecting wildlife and habitats during prolonged drought conditions.
Answered by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Natural England has advised Essex Local Authorities on drought-related matters through Infrastructure Delivery Plans, Local Plans, and planning consultations. This includes promoting high-quality green infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and water efficiency measures, with developments encouraged to achieve 80-110 litres per person per day where viable. Advice has also highlighted the need for investment in infrastructure to address pressures on water resources affecting protected sites. Natural England has supported the Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy, promoted landscape-scale water retention measures, and facilitated partnerships between authorities, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations that increase resilience to climate change whilst supporting nature recovery objectives.
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