Natural England

High Court judgment threatens protections for England’s internationally important wildlife sites

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Licensing, Natural England, Nature, Special Protection Area, Wildlife

Natural England intends to appeal a High Court judgment arising from a judicial review brought by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) concerning gamebird release licensing. Gamebird release licensing was introduced in 2021 to protect internationally important species …

Nutrient Mitigation Scheme - clarification of Natural England's role

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Environmental Delivery Plan, Growth, Nutrient Neutrality

There has been recent reporting in the media and on social media around Natural England’s role in delivering the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme. Natural England has a statutory duty to support sustainable development. We work with developers and planning authorities to …

Natural England response to Badger Trust and Wild Justice judicial review decision’

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Licensing
Image of 'Natural England' logo.

On 16th October, the High Court decided against an application by Natural England to increase the amount of costs that claimants, The Badger Trust and Wild Justice, should pay back to Natural England from £10,000 to £30,000 and £20,000 respectively, in the …

Accelerating Development and Nature Recovery: A Natural England Perspective on the Nature Restoration Fund 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Growth, Licensing, Natural England

Natural England welcomes the Government’s commitment to reform the planning system in such a way that it delivers sustainable development while unlocking new and more joined-up opportunities for nature’s recovery.   Bradley Tooze, Strategy Director at Natural England, outlines Natural England’s …

Unearthing the Past to Restore Our Future: The Role of Palaeontology in Nature Recovery

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Education, Evidence, Geology, Landscapes, Natural England, Nature Recovery, Science and evidence, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Species recovery

By Joshua Smith, NE Senior Specialist Palaeontologist Fossils represent evidence of past life stored in the sequence of rocks below our feet. Like the pages of a book, England's rock record tells the story of changing continents, climates and environments …

Supporting Wellbeing and Nature’s Recovery – learning from the 7th Nature Connections Conference

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Education, Green Infrastructure, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
Image of Electric Daisy, an outdoor events space with a covered canopy and lots of plants around the seating.

Human health and nature are deeply interconnected.  However, many people do not feel a strong connection to nature in their day-to-day lives. Strengthening our connection to nature can address shared challenges such as health and wellbeing, drive nature’s recovery and …

Happier Outdoors: London’s Free Nature Festival

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Education, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
A health and nature walk at Gillespie Park in Islington from Happier Outdoors 2024. © Sally Oldfield.

By Laura Brown, Higher Officer for Health and Environment, Natural England What is Happier Outdoors? Happier Outdoors began in 2023 as part of my work as the Health and Environment Higher Officer for London. I’m lucky to spend a lot …

Study launched into relationship between people and nature

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Connecting People with Nature, Environmental Improvement Plan, Evidence, Green Infrastructure, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Wildlife
Buttercups in Devon. © Ruth Lamont, Natural England.

By Ruth Lamont, Principal Officer in Research Ethics, Knowledge into Practice, Chief Scientist’s Directorate, Natural England Started in 2022, the RENEW project, led by the University of Exeter and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, is a five-year programme …

The North can be a powerhouse for Nature and growth

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Natural Capital, Natural England, Nature Recovery
Marian Spain speaking at Convention of the North, with host Anita Rani

"Nature is vital to our economy our health and our security. The North has the natural assets that can help create the places people want to live, work and invest in and that will keep them happy and healthy, as …