Residents across Andover and the wider Test Valley are being urged to share their views on Hampshire’s Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy before the consultation closes on Monday, 23 June.
The strategy, developed in partnership with a wide range of organisations, sets out bold proposals to reverse the decline in nature and biodiversity across Hampshire – including areas like the Test Valley chalk streams, farmland, and woodland habitats that are key to the local ecosystem.
This includes:
- Mapping Hampshire’s most valuable habitats
- Identifying priority areas for restoration and new habitats
- Shaping how future farm and land management funding is used
- Supporting more sustainable farming
- Embedding nature into urban planning – from green corridors to stormwater systems
- Helping local communities apply for nature project funding
Hampshire County Council has been appointed as the Responsible Authority, coordinating input from stakeholders across the county — including Southampton, Portsmouth, and national park areas such as the New Forest and South Downs.
Locally, the strategy could help shape future planning decisions in and around Andover, promote greener land use practices, and support community groups looking to enhance green spaces across the area.
The draft has already benefited from input by community organisations and early public feedback via online surveys. The final version of the strategy is expected by the end of the year.
Now is the time to have your say – whether you’re a landowner, environmental volunteer, or simply a resident who wants to see a greener, more nature-rich Hampshire.
To read the plan and respond to the consultation, visit the Hampshire County Council website.