Ipswich Borough Council’s Executive are to consider the adoption of a new Biodiversity Strategy, which would set out a 10-year plan to protect, enhance, and celebrate the natural environment across the town’s parks and open spaces, and in turn creating a healthier community.
The Strategy would be built around three core aims:
- Engaging and Promoting Awareness – inspiring residents, schools, volunteers and local groups to take part in wildlife and conservation activities.
- Preserving and Maintaining Biodiversity – protecting habitats, enhancing green corridors, and improving the town’s natural spaces.
- Learning and Evaluating – using monitoring, evidence, and new technologies to understand what works in our natural environment.
The new Strategy would highlight the essential role that rich, diverse habitats play in improving both physical and mental wellbeing; from reducing stress and encouraging exercise to supporting resilience against long‑term health issues.
By strengthening habitats and increasing green areas across the town, the Strategy will also help Ipswich adapt to the impacts of climate change, helping to regulate temperature, and reduce flood risks; protecting communities, homes, and infrastructure.
Another major focus of the Strategy would be community involvement. By working closely with local residents, schools, conservation organisations and volunteer groups, the Council aims to empower people to play an active part in shaping a greener Ipswich. Opportunities for hands‑on conservation, environmental learning, and nature‑based events will be expanded to ensure that every neighbourhood can benefit from the town’s natural assets.
The Strategy forms part of the Council’s response to the Environment Act 2021, which introduced mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements for new developments and strengthened duties for councils to not only protect but actively enhance biodiversity.
Improvements planned over the next decade include better-connected green corridors, increased species diversity, and higher-quality habitats that will leave a lasting legacy.
Councillor Lucy Trenchard, Portfolio Holder for Parks and Climate Change said: “Caring for Ipswich’s natural environment is not just about the important job of protecting wildlife - it’s about supporting the health, wellbeing and quality of life of everyone who lives here.
“We have recently achieved Tree City of the World status for a fifth year in a row, showing our long-standing commitment to nurturing the green spaces that make our town special. Last year (January 2025 – January 2026) we planted 4,757 trees in Ipswich and this biodiversity strategy, will help to continue our work in enhancing the environment we live in.
“By restoring habitats, improving access to nature, and working closely with schools, volunteers and community groups, we’ll be helping to create a greener, healthier and more resilient Ipswich for current and future generations.”
To support this strategy, it has been recommended that the area of land on Sproughton Road, next to the Eastern Gateway Enterprise Park is to be given Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status.
The 16.5-hectare area of land features important wildlife habitats within woodland, ponds, reed beds and long grass. The status will allow controlled access for educational visits for local schools and community groups.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council said: “This area has a huge range of biodiversity supporting bird and aquatic life; herons, buzzards, otters, water voles, bats and wildflowers have been recorded at the site.
“It will be great to add this area to our 11 existing Local Nature Reserves increasing our existing 100 hectares of nature reserve land.”