Sefton Local Plan - Scoping Consultation 2026

Closes 18 Sep 2026

Natural Environment, Biodiversity, and Green Belt

What the Plan Must Do

  • Protect and enhance biodiversity and ecological networks.
  • Safeguard valued landscapes, open spaces, parks, and Sefton’s coast.
  • Plan to manage recreational pressure on Sefton’s internationally protected coast.
  • Review Green Belt boundaries only if necessary and supported by evidence.
  • Respond to the government’s new policies on Green Belt

Issues to Consider

  • New national requirements for biodiversity net gain.
  • The capacity of existing habitats to absorb additional visitor pressure.
  • Opportunities for new nature networks including applying the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
  • That nature should be considered as critical infrastructure.

Tell us ...

  • Which natural areas do communities value most?
  • How should the Plan balance development with environmental protection?
Do you have any comments on how the Local Plan should address issues relating to the natural environment, biodiversity, and the Green Belt?