Approach to nature and biodiversity

Nationally, across England, nature is under pressure: habitats are lost or fragmented, and bigger, better‑connected natural areas are needed for wildlife recovery and climate resilience. 1 in 3 people lack access to a good green space within 15 minutes — with the biggest gaps in more deprived communities.

Tamworth is a small, mostly urban borough. Sitting in a river basin, Tamworth has a wide functional flood plain running through its heart, and parts of it are at increased risk from increased average annual rain fall and flooding events. Although the flood plain introduces a green and blue corridor through the Borough, limited green spaces in Tamworth must work hard for people, wildlife and climate resilience.

Nature loss in Tamworth has the potential to increase flood and climate risk as fewer natural areas absorb water or cool the town. Shrinking and fragmented habitats contribute to wildlife decline, and increased population puts more pressure on limited green spaces, reducing their quality and ecological value. In turn, this can lead to reduced health and well-being benefits from fewer places to walk, play and relax, and reduced nature connection. Loss of nature also represents lost opportunities to integrate nature-based solutions, which are often simpler and less expensive to manage than mechanical or hard infrastructure solutions, into development.