PART 6Nature and biodiversity
Local nature recovery strategies
I1I2107Information to be provided by the Secretary of State
1
For the purpose of assisting responsible authorities in their preparation of local nature recovery strategies, the Secretary of State must prepare and publish a national habitat map for England.
2
The national habitat map must in particular identify—
a
national conservation sites, and
b
other areas that in the opinion of the Secretary of State are of particular importance for biodiversity.
3
The Secretary of State may from time to time review and republish the national habitat map.
4
The Secretary of State must inform a responsible authority of any area in the authority’s strategy area which falls within subsection (5).
5
An area falls within this subsection if in the Secretary of State’s opinion—
a
the area could be of greater importance for biodiversity, or is an area where the recovery or enhancement of biodiversity could make a contribution to other environmental benefits, and
b
the area could contribute to the establishment of a network of areas across England for the recovery and enhancement of biodiversity in England as a whole.
6
The Secretary of State must provide a responsible authority with any other information—
a
that is held by the Secretary of State, and
b
that the Secretary of State considers might assist the authority in preparing a local nature recovery strategy.