Local Authorities have a duty under the Local Government Act 2000 to promote the environmental, social and economic well-being of their areas. Section 4 requires them to prepare Community Strategies for this purpose and guidance issued as part of DETR Circular 4/2001 makes clear that LBAPs are among the elements local authorities should build upon when preparing these Community Strategies.The Government announced the outcome of a review of planning requirements on local authorities in November 2002. This made clear that local authorities themselves are not obliged to prepare LBAPs but that they should plan for biodiversity. Local authority planning for biodiversity should be firmly linked into Community Strategies to provide a framework to ensure biodiversity is embedded into all activities

There is some evidence from across England that some local biodiversity partnerships are significantly influencing the priorities and therefore the action, targets and indicators in Community Strategies. The aim of the case studies below is to share this information and encourage and support further involvement across both countries.


The case studies have been written locally and then edited and prepared for publication by Julia Korn; The Wales Biodiversity Group's Local Biodiversity Action Plan Facilitator, and Charlotte Gault; The England Local Biodiversity Action Facilitator whose work contributes to the work of the England Biodiversity Group and is supported by English Nature.