Somerset residents have less than a week to have their say on proposals to protect and enhance their county’s natural beauty.

Somerset Council is currently in the early stages of creating a local nature recovery strategy, which will shape how the county’s green spaces and watercourses can be improved to encourage biodiversity in the face of new housing and other new development.

The strategy will identify individual habitats which will require additional protection or restoration, and opportunities to improve access to “nature-rich spaces” to promote physical and mental health and well-being.

Residents have until April 30 to have their say on the draft strategy, with more detailed proposals expected to come forward in the summer.

The strategy, once adopted by the council, is expected to map locations of Somerset’s most precious habitats, identify locations suitable for nature restoration, and more. To take part in the survey, or for more information, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/lnrs.