Natural England

Natural England’s latest “consultation” looks open, but its design filters out land managers and steers answers to fit NE’s agenda rather than genuine feedback.

Natural England has launched a new stakeholder survey to gather views from the organisations it works with.

Natural England has become the enemy of common sense. Instead of backing managers who want to improve their ground, it ties them up in red tape and demands they wait for science to catch up.

Natural England’s cost-blind decisions face Treasury scrutiny. Without proving value for money, reform - or even abolition - could soon follow.

Trust in Natural England rests on a simple principle: it must provide independent, impartial evidence to government. Yet recent publications show a worrying blurring of roles that risks undermining this trust.

Following the government's decision to further restrict the burning of vegetation on England's upland peat, we have compiled a useful handbook to help guide land managers through the process of applying for a licence to burn on deep peat.

An online exchange in the wake of the government's decision to further restrict controlled burning has revealed Natural England's bias on the subject.

Defra has now confirmed the next stage of restrictions on burning vegetation on England’s upland peat.

The government's decision to ban the burning of vegetation on deep peat is misguided and ignores real concerns over wildfire risks.

We welcome Emma Reynolds MP as Secretary of State for DEFRA. The department is crying out for her energy and fresh thinking.

Heather beetle continues to cause concern across the uplands. Members have asked about the role of burning in relation to beetle control and recovery. Below is a summary of past research, observations and opinions drawn from the scientific literature.

A wave of peer-reviewed research from around the world should give serious pause to those intent on sidelining controlled heather burning.