Natural England is changing the way it provides planning advice in England, with a new approach designed to speed up decisions while keeping protections for nature in place.
The reforms, which take effect from 1st October, will see the government’s nature conservation adviser focus its specialist expertise on planning proposals where development presents the greatest risks or opportunities for the environment.
The demand for Natural England’s planning advice has increased significantly, with its experts often responding to large numbers of consultations where established guidance already exists.
Under the new system, the organisation will provide less tailored advice on routine planning applications and instead concentrate on complex and strategic cases. It will also aim to engage earlier in the planning process to help identify and resolve environmental issues before they become barriers to development.
Lower-risk or routine proposals will increasingly be dealt with through existing guidance and standing advice, allowing local planning authorities to make decisions without seeking individual input from Natural England.
The organisation will prioritise cases involving development within, or likely to significantly harm, designated nature sites or protected landscapes.
For many other planning requests, Natural England will issue a ‘no comment’ response or point planning authorities towards relevant standing advice or guidance.
Notwithstanding these changes, Natural England will continue to meet its statutory responsibilities, including its role as a statutory consultee under the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.
The changes do not alter those statutory consultation requirements. Instead, they give Natural England greater flexibility over how it provides advice on planning matters outside those specific requirements.
The reforms will be introduced gradually, with Natural England continuing to work with local authorities, developers and other organisations during the transition.
Standing advice, guidance and engagement will remain available to help planning authorities make decisions and provide greater certainty about how environmental considerations should be addressed.
Natural England insist these changes will make better use of its specialist expertise by focusing it where it can have the greatest benefit for nature, while supporting sustainable development and better outcomes for communities.
They point out that environmental protections for habitats, species and designated sites remain firmly in place despite the changes to how its planning advice is delivered.
Speaking on pretty much his first day in the job, Natural England Chief Executive Neil Hornby said: ‘This change of approach will help us focus our expertise where it can have the greatest impact for nature, while supporting efficient decision making across the planning system.
‘Natural England is laser focused on advancing nature recovery and meeting key legal Environment Act targets, while supporting the government’s ambition for good growth in every postcode.’
Photo: BEN ELLIOTT
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