How to use the online mapping tool

Please be patient – owing to the amount of data available to view in detail from this platform, layers may take some time to view.  If it isn’t working, try refreshing the page.  If you are still experiencing problems, please email naturerecovery@kent.gov.uk

Ensure all the top collective layer boxes of the data you want to view are checked.

• To view any layers in the menu, the top collective layer needs to be turned on.
• To view any of the LNRS Local Habitat Map components (APIB, Potential measures or ACIB) the box “LNRS Local Habitat Map” must always be checked.
• To view any of the potential measures, the box “Potential Measures” must always be checked.
• To view any of the specific potential measures, the relevant ambition/habitat grouping box must always be checked.
• To view any of the Additional (non-statutory) LNRS mapping (just wider measures currently), the box “Additional (non-statutory) LNRS mapping” must always be checked.
• To view any of the wider measures, the box “Wider Measures” must always be checked.
• To view any of the specific wider measures, the relevant ambition/habitat grouping box must always be checked.

There are two tools to help identify what is shown on the map:

1. The first tool is to click on the legend button at the top of the screen – this will show the potential measure reference numbers and the colour they are mapped with.  Given the large number of mapped measures, you may still find the map a little complex but the next tool should assist you.
2. The other way to view the all potential measures map is to locate the site or area you are interested in and click on that parcel of land.  This will bring up a pox-up box, which will list all the measures mapped to that area of land.  Using the arrow buttons at the bottom of the box, you can scroll through each of the potential measures mapped to that land.  As well as providing full details on the measure, scrolling through also highlights the extent of that mapped potential measure in a bright blue highlight outline.

In some locations, more than one potential measure is identified. This is to ensure that no opportunity for nature recovery is missed and that broad areas consider a range of habitats, to create the mosaic of habitats that nature recovery needs.

Where the most appropriate measure, based on the site, is not clear following a local site assessment, the Strategy has a recommended approach to aid the selection of the most appropriate measure to deliver. It is advised that professional advice is sought from a land advisor, nature conservation body or another appropriately qualified source.

Click here for more details on determining the most appropriate measure when more than one is mapped to the same location.

The default view for the mapping tool is for all the  potential measures to  be presented at the same time.  This can be a little overwhelming when you first view it but the purpose of this presentation is so you can straight away delve into the mapping and determine what is mapped where without having to adjust the map layers.  There are two tools to help identify what is shown on the map:

1. The first tool is to click on the legend button at the top of the screen – this will show the potential measure reference numbers and the colour they are mapped with.  Given the large number of mapped measures, you may still find the map a little complex but the next tool should assist you.
2. The other way to view the all potential measures map is to locate the site or area you are interested in and click on that parcel of land.  This will bring up a pox-up box, which will list all the measures mapped to that area of land.  Using the arrow buttons at the bottom of the box, you can scroll through each of the potential measures mapped to that land.  As well as providing full details on the measure, scrolling through also highlights the extent of that mapped potential measure in a bright blue highlight outline.

If you wish to clear the map of all potential measures, in order to create your own view of the mapped information, you simply uncheck all the ambition/habitat boxes sitting under potential measures and the map will clear.  You can then select the specific measures you wish to view – but make sure you also check the ambition/habitat box the measure(s) sit under.

In order to launch the tool, please read through the pop up and tick the “I agree to the above terms and conditions” box at the bottom left.  Checking this box with allow the “OK” box to the bottom right to be highlighted – you click this to launch the tool.

All the potential measures are associated with an ambition – the majority of the ambitions relate to a habitat grouping.  All measures within the same ambition/habitat grouping share the same prefix.  All measures relating to the same specific habitat share the same numbered prefix.  Each measure is denoted by a unique reference number.  For example, the potential measure “Increase the extent of high-quality, connected lowland meadow by creating new lowland meadow sites, in close proximity to core/good condition sites” has a reference number of GL3.2 – the GL tells us it’s a grassland habitat/ambition; the 3 tells us it’s a lowland meadow priority habitat and the .2 tells us its number two of the measures for this habitat – Guide To Strategy Codes

A searchable list of all the potential measures is available online at https://www.makingspacefornaturekent.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Potential-measures.xlsx and wider measures at https://www.makingspacefornaturekent.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Wider-measures.xlsx

A priority is the outcome we want to see for nature – these are structured around the delivery the Strategy’s 10 ambitions.

A potential measure is the proposed action to deliver the priority. They must be practical and achievable.  It is only potential measures that are eligible for the biodiversity net gain strategic significance uplift – and only when those potential measures are delivered in the areas they have been mapped to. Potential measures are designed to deliver on one the Strategy principles – providing better, bigger, more, connectivity or nature-based solutions.

Potential measures mapping identifies where the action determined as necessary for our nature recovery priorities should be strategically targeted to achieve the greatest gains for biodiversity and deliver the widest environmental benefits.

Areas of particular importance for biodiversity are the Strategy area’s national conservation sites (National Nature Reserve, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Marine Conservation Zones and Ramsar), Local Nature Reserves, Local Wildlife Sites and irreplaceable habitat. The areas eligible for inclusion in this map is tightly defined by the Local Nature Recovery Strategy regulations.

Areas that could become of particular importance for biodiversity comprise the extent of the potential measures, with areas of particular importance for biodiversity excluded. These are the areas where the Strategy proposes effort should be concentrated to restore habitat, to achieve the greatest gains for nature and to derive the greatest benefits from a healthy, functioning environment. They are the areas of Kent and Medway where targeted action will enable us to deliver on the priorities laid out by the Strategy.

Wider measures are proposed actions which would be similarly beneficial over wide areas or those where it was not possible to determine specific locations to carry out the proposed action. Collectively, these wider measures identify areas of additional opportunities for nature recovery but do not form a part of the formal Strategy’s local habitat map. Wider measures are NOT eligible for the biodiversity net gain strategic significance uplift.