Natural England

Upland communities face significant challenges and have serious concerns regarding moorland management and conservation, often feeling that their traditional ways of life and local expertise are being overlooked.

There has been a steep 73% reduction in fuel load management on our moors since 2021 which has greatly exacerbated the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

We sent this letter to The Guardian in response to their piece - 'The place is bleached, a dead zone’: how the UK’s most beloved landscapes became biodiversity deserts.

Our moorlands are facing an ever-growing threat: devastating wildfires, and the situation is made worse by government policies, notably those influenced by Natural England.

The letter emphasizes our concerns regarding the deterioration of the relationship between the countryside and Natural England.

According to Natural England's own Key Performance Indicators it has missed core targets, faltered on key environmental metrics, and revealed a culture of persistent underperformance.

During the recent debate on the future of driven grouse shooting, several Members of Parliament expressed concerns regarding Natural England's advice and its perceived impact on grouse shooting.

Moorlands are vital parts of our landscape, but they face a growing threat: devastating wildfires. These fires aren't just a natural phenomenon; they're heavily influenced by how we manage the land.

The report, ‘Burning Money - How nature groups cash in on disastrous policies they helped create to fix imaginary problems’, outlines how farmers and landowners in the Peak District are significantly impacted by current moorland management policies.

These frequently asked questions are taken from the report: Burning Money - How nature groups cash in on disastrous policies they helped create to fix imaginary problems.

Our moorlands are facing unprecedented challenges due to Natural England's policies, which have been described as irrational, unproven, and expensive.

There’s a quiet but critical conversation unfolding in Westminster right now: should Natural England be reformed, or scrapped entirely? For many in the countryside - gamekeepers, conservationists, farmers, and landowners alike - it’s a question long overdue.

A report commissioned by the Campaign for the Protection of Moorland Communities looks closely at issues surrounding moorland management, suggesting that current policies, heavily influenced by some nature groups, may be creating more problems than they solve.

Ahead of Sunday's deadline we have submitted our response to Defra's Heather & Grass Burning Consultation.

The current Defra consultation on heather burning is beginning to fall apart under the weight of its own failings – and it’s critical that we act now to make our voices heard.

We're looking to build a network of individuals who are willing to spend just 10 minutes a week submitting simple, well-crafted FOI requests.

Over the last five years, Natural England's budget has ballooned by 73%, now standing at an eye-watering £318 million. Staff numbers have surged too, with around 3,000 people now on the payroll.

Time is running out to respond to Defra’s consultation on heather and grass burning. The deadline is 25th May, and it’s vital that those who understand the uplands - the people who live, work, and manage this land - make their voices heard.

Natural England’s recent evidence review on heather burning was presented as a definitive scientific update. Instead, it stands as a case study in how selective methodology, excluded expertise, and misrepresented findings can produce a flawed and unbalanced document.

The Moorland Association has prepared its draft response to Defra’s consultation on Heather and Grass Burning in England. While our first and strongest recommendation is that this consultation be paused, we’ve also made sure to respond in full should the Government press ahead.