Sutton Council wins ANOTHER green award
Sutton Council has won the Planning for Nature Recovery Award at the 2026 Nature 2030 Political Purpose Awards, recognising its work to put biodiversity and nature recovery at the heart of local planning decisions.
The award, sponsored by the London Wildlife Trust, recognises councils that are helping to create greener towns and cities, healthier communities and more space for wildlife through the planning system. Sutton was shortlisted alongside Dorset Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, East Suffolk Council and Forest of Dean District Council.
Judges highlighted Sutton’s evidence-led approach to nature recovery, including the Council’s investment in specialist ecological expertise and its work to make sure biodiversity is properly considered when new developments are proposed.
Sutton’s Local Plan includes protections for Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, green corridors and biodiversity, alongside plans to create new woodland and chalk grassland. The Council also introduced interim Biodiversity Net Gain guidance in April 2025 and has been using planning conditions and enforcement powers to make sure environmental commitments made by developers are actually delivered.
Cllr Jake Short said:
“This is fantastic recognition for the work being done in Sutton to protect and restore our natural environment.
“As our borough grows, we need to make sure new development works with nature rather than pushing it out. That means protecting the green spaces and habitats we already have, while using the planning system to create new ones wherever we can.
“There is always more to do, but this award shows that Sutton is leading by example. I’m delighted to see the hard work of council officers and everyone involved in protecting our local environment recognised nationally.”
The Political Purpose Awards are run by Nature 2030 and recognise politicians, councils, campaigners and organisations demonstrating environmental leadership across the UK. The 2026 awards included ten categories covering issues from wildlife protection and river pollution to air quality, biodiversity and sustainable local government.
The full nomination for Sutton was as follow:
London Borough of Sutton has developed a strong, evidence-led approach to urban nature recovery through planning policy, ecological expertise and Biodiversity Net Gain implementation.
The Council has a permanent Senior Biodiversity Officer and previously employed a dedicated Biodiversity Net Gain Officer for 18 months to help establish policy. It has a formal service-level agreement with Greenspace Information for Greater London, ensuring ecological data informs local decision-making.
Sutton’s Local Plan includes a clear objective to protect and enhance biodiversity, with Policy 26 protecting Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, green corridors and biodiversity.
The policy also supports the creation of 1 hectare of new woodland and 2 hectares of new chalk grassland, alongside wider habitat enhancements identified through the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan and river catchment plans.
Sutton adopted Biodiversity Net Gain Interim Guidance in April 2025, has reviewed its SINCs, and uses planning conditions and enforcement tools to ensure biodiversity