Natural England
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Natural England is an executive, non-departmental public body responsible for advising the government on the natural environment. It was established in October 2006 to replace the Countryside Agency, English Nature and the Rural Development Service.
The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 defines the purpose of Natural England as to:
“ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development”.
As an organisation, Natural England covers the whole of England extending up to 12 nautical miles out to sea and provides a range of specialist advice at the local and national level. It works closely with many partners including national and local government, businesses, civil society groups and other agencies.
[edit] Responsibilities of Natural England
Natural England is responsible for:
- Advising on the protection of the marine environment in inshore waters.
- Assisting farmers and land managers to safeguard wildlife and landscapes.
- Advising on planning matters and issuing wildlife licences.
- Enhancing public access to the coast.
- Managing the National Nature Reserve network and providing support for National Trails.
- Running habitat creation or restoration projects.
- The provision of evidence to help inform decisions affecting the natural environment.
[edit] Priorities of Natural England
The Corporate Plan for 2014 to 2019 sets out the vision for the future of the organisation. The priorities within this time period are:
- Terrestrial biodiversity.
- Landscape geodiversity.
- Marine biodiversity.
- Access and engagement.
- Environmental land management.
- National Nature Reserves.
- Support for the planning system.
- Wildlife management.
- Evidence.
[edit] Supporting sustainable development
Natural England plays a key role in advising on planning matters and are statutory consultees on certain types of developments. It is possible to undertake pre-application discussions with Natural England in advance of an application being submitted. Initial advice is offered free of charge and further advice can be provided on a charged basis.
[edit] Discretionary Advice Service
A Discretionary Advice Service is offered to developers under the Town and Country Planning Act (1990), the Planning Act (2008) and the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009). Advice is offered on development likely to effect:
- Special areas of conservation and special protected areas.
- Ramsar sites.
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
- Marine Protected Areas.
- Protected landscapes (National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Discretionary advice is also offered for developments that result in significant (more than 5ha)biodiversity benefit.
Advice can be sought at the pre-application, post-consent and pre-determination stages of a project.
[edit] Standing Advice
Natural England has published standing advice to offer competent authorities assistance in formulating risk-based decisions without consultation. It is available for a range of protected species, plants and ancient woodlands from the Natural England website.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Coastal groups.
- Designated sites.
- Environmental regulators.
- Local Nature Reserve.
- Making Local Nature Recovery Strategies deliver.
- National nature reserves.
- National parks.
- National trails.
- National Trust.
- Natural environment white paper.
- Natural resource.
- Natural Resources Wales.
- Nature improvement area.
- Planning permission.
- Protected species.
- Protected species licence.
- Scottish Natural Heritage.
- Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
- Special Nature Conservation Order SNCO.
- Statutory consultees.
- Sustainable development toolkit.
- Wildlife and Countryside Act.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.