Ecological compliance for development projects
- 5 steps
- 1 requirement
UK Act of Parliament
2006
United Kingdom
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
At a glance
Enforced by
Environment Agency, OEP, NatureScot, AHDB, DEFRA, Natural England, NRW, SEPA
What's here
11 compliance obligations, 5 practical guides across 2 topics · 4 journeys
Penalty landscape
2 of 11 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 2 carry different penalties and 7 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 6
Plus 5 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Protected species found on your development site
- 2 steps
Do I need a wildlife licence for my project?
- 2 steps
Planning permission for new development
- 1 step
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
3 guidesMentioned in related content
2 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 742 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 83 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 82 duties
- Road Traffic (NI) Order 1995 1995 61 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities
General purpose
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England must conserve and manage the natural environment Statutory regulator
Review and research
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England must review and research matters relating to its purpose Statutory regulator
Browse 29 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Constitution
Advice
Supplementary provision
Carrying out proposals etc.
Financial and other assistance
Management agreements
Experimental schemes
Information services etc.
Consultancy services and training
Power to charge for services and licences
Power to bring criminal proceedings
Incidental powers
Grants
Guidance
Directions
Commission for Rural Communities
Commission's general purpose
Representation, advice and monitoring
Research
Information services etc.
Power to charge for services
Incidental powers
Grants
Directions
Transfers on dissolution of English Nature and Countryside Agency
Continuing powers to make transfer schemes
Transfer schemes: supplementary
Interim arrangements
Interpretation
Part 2 — Nature conservation in the UK
Purpose of functions under this Part
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Conservation bodies must promote nature conservation and sustainable development Statutory regulator
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
UK conservation bodies
Functions of national or international significance
Advice from joint committee to UK conservation body
GB functions with respect to wildlife
UK conservation bodies: incidental powers for UK purposes, etc.
Directions
Interpretation
Part 3 — Wildlife etc.
Biodiversity lists and action (England)
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must maintain and act on biodiversity conservation lists Crown / Minister / Government department
Possession of pesticides harmful to wildlife
51 weeks imprisonment- Possess pesticide harmful to wildlife Any Person
Sale etc. of invasive non-native species
Unlimited fine- Sell, possess or advertise invasive non‑native species Any Person
Codes of practice in connection with invasive non-native species
- Adhere to codes of practice for invasive non-native species Any Person
Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity
Biodiversity reports
Biodiversity lists and action (Wales)
Enforcement powers in connection with pesticides
Codes of practice
Interpretation
Protection for nests of certain birds which re-use their nests
Birds released into the wild as part of re-population programme
Registration etc. of certain captive birds
Enforcement powers in connection with wildlife
Wildlife offences: time limits for proceedings
Application of Part 1 of 1981 Act to Crown
Part 4 — Sites of special scientific interest
Offences in connection with SSSIs
Unlimited fine- Permit operation that damages SSSI without required checks Any Person
Notices and signs relating to SSSIs
Fine up to £2,500- Take down, damage or obscure SSSI notice or sign Any Person
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 5 — National Parks and the Broads
Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Criteria for designating National Parks
Procedure for orders designating National Parks
Members of National Park authorities
Expenditure by National Parks authorities
Notification of agricultural operations on moor and heath in National Parks
Functions of Broads Authority and others in relation to the Broads
Emergency financial assistance
Part 6 — Rights of way
Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Restriction on creation of new public rights of way
Ending of certain existing unrecorded public rights of way
Presumed dedication of restricted byways and use by pedal cycles etc.
Presumed dedication and applications under section 53(5) of the 1981 Act
Supplementary
Interpretation
Traffic regulation on byways etc. in National Parks
Part 7 — Inland waterways
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 8 — Flexible administrative arrangements
Supplementary provisions with respect to agreements
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must publish and formalise environmental agreements Crown / Minister / Government department
Directions
- A board must comply with directions from the Secretary of State Any Person
Browse 20 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Agreement between Secretary of State and designated body
Agreement between designated bodies
Designated bodies
Reserved functions
Maximum duration of agreement
Particular powers
Agreements with local authorities
Interpretation
Power to establish boards
Permissible purposes of boards
Permissible functions of boards
Identification and traceability of animals
Ancillary provisions
Power to dissolve existing levy bodies
Power to dissolve board
Dissolution: supplementary
Grants
“The appropriate authority”
Orders: procedure etc.
Financial assistance
Part 9 — Miscellaneous
Byelaws relating to land drainage
Amended 1 timeAbolition of certain agricultural etc. committees
Amended 1 timeBrowse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 10 — Final provisions
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Crown land
Wales
Power to make further provision
Financial provisions
Commencement
Short title
Schedules
Browse 353 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Natural England
Commission for Rural Communities
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Enforcement powers in connection with wildlife
Designated bodies
Natural England is to be a body corporate.
Natural England may pay to the members such remuneration and...
If required to do so by the Secretary of State,...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) a person ceases to...
(1) Natural England must appoint a person to be chief...
Natural England may appoint other employees.
If required to do so by the Secretary of State,...
(1) Employment with Natural England is to be included among...
Natural England may determine its own procedure (including quorum).
No proceeding is invalidated by— (a) a vacancy in the...
(1) Natural England may authorise a committee, sub-committee, member or...
Subject to paragraph 22 (nature reserves), Natural England is not...
(1) A committee or sub-committee may include persons who are...
(1) The application of Natural England's seal must be authenticated...
(1) This paragraph applies to land in which Natural England...
(1) For each financial year, Natural England must—
(1) Natural England must keep proper accounts and proper records...
The Secretary of State must lay before each House of...
(1) Natural England must provide the Secretary of State with...
(1) Natural England is to consist of—
The Secretary of State may appoint one of the members...
Subject to paragraphs 6 to 8, a member holds and...
A member may resign by giving written notice to the...
The Secretary of State may remove a member who—
A person ceases to be chairman or deputy chairman if...
A person who— (a) ceases to be a member, or...
The Commission is to be a body corporate.
The Commission may pay to the members such remuneration and...
If required to do so by the Secretary of State,...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) a person ceases to...
(1) The Commission must appoint a person to be chief...
The Commission may appoint other employees.
If required to do so by the Secretary of State,...
(1) Employment with the Commission is to be included among...
The Commission may determine its own procedure (including quorum).
No proceeding is invalidated by— (a) a vacancy in the...
(1) The Commission may authorise a committee, sub-committee, member or...
The Commission is not to be regarded—
(1) A committee or sub-committee may include persons who are...
(1) The application of the Commission's seal must be authenticated...
(1) For each financial year, the Commission must—
(1) The Commission must keep proper accounts and proper records...
The Secretary of State must lay before each House of...
(1) The Commission must provide the Secretary of State with...
(1) The Commission is to consist of—
The Secretary of State may appoint one of the members...
Subject to paragraphs 6 to 8, a member holds and...
A member may resign by giving written notice to the...
The Secretary of State may remove a member who—
A person ceases to be chairman or deputy chairman if...
A person who— (a) ceases to be a member, or...
Transfer schemes
A scheme may— (a) create for the transferor interests in...
Anything which— (a) is done by the transferor for the...
There may be continued by or in relation to the...
(1) This paragraph applies to any document—
A scheme may include supplementary, incidental, transitional and consequential provision....
(1) A scheme may provide for the transfer of property,...
A certificate by the Secretary of State that anything specified...
(1) This paragraph applies if rights and liabilities under a...
(1) Rights and liabilities under a contract of employment are...
Nothing in this Schedule affects any right a person has...
(1) This Schedule applies with the following modifications in relation...
A scheme may contain provision for the payment of compensation...
A transfer under this Schedule does not affect the validity...
(1) The joint committee is to consist of 14 members—...
The joint committee may, with the approval of the Secretary...
The joint committee must pay to its employees such remuneration...
The joint committee may— (a) pay such pensions, gratuities or...
(1) With the consent of the Secretary of State, and...
(1) The funding bodies must provide the joint committee with...
(1) The Secretary of State may make grants to the...
(1) The joint committee may determine its own procedure (including...
(1) The joint committee may authorise any of their functions...
(1) As soon as possible after the end of each...
(1) In this Schedule “the appropriate authorities” means—
The members appointed by the Secretary of State must not...
(1) The members appointed by the Secretary of State must...
Subject to paragraphs 5 and 6, a member appointed by...
A member appointed by the Secretary of State may resign...
The Secretary of State may remove a member appointed by...
The joint committee must pay to the members appointed by...
If required to do so by the Secretary of State,...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) a person ceases to...
After section 18 insert— Wildlife inspectors (1) In this Part, “wildlife inspector” means a person authorised...
The enforcement provisions relating to Group 1 offences and Group...
The enforcement provisions relating to Group 1 offences and Group...
(1) The Secretary of State may— (a) issue a code...
(1) Section 19(3) of the 1981 Act (issue of search...
(1) Amend section 19 (powers of constables to stop, search,...
After section 19 insert— Constables' powers in connection with samples...
Omit sections 19ZA (enforcement: wildlife inspectors) and 19ZB (power to...
(1) Amend section 21 (penalties etc.) as follows.
In section 27 (interpretation of Part 1), in subsection (1),...
In this Part “the enforcement provisions of the 1981 Act...
(1) The enforcement provisions of the 1981 Act relating to...
The enforcement provisions relating to Group 1 offences and Group...
Wildlife offences: time limits for proceedings
In section 6 (offences relating to importation etc. of musk...
In section 5 (penalties for offences), after subsection (2) insert—...
(1) Amend section 20 (summary prosecutions) as follows.
After section 51 insert— Summary prosecutions (1) Proceedings in England and Wales for a summary offence...
In section 9 (penalties for offences relating to deer), after...
After section 12 insert— Time limit for bringing summary proceedings...
A conservation board for an area of outstanding natural beauty...
The Environment Agency.
Food From Britain.
The Forestry Commissioners.
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority .
The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England.
The Home-Grown Cereals Authority.
The Horticultural Development Council.
The Marine Management Organisation .
The Meat and Livestock Commission.
The Milk Development Council.
The National Forest Company.
An inshore fisheries and conservation authority for a district established...
A joint committee of two or more local authorities which...
Natural England.
The Seafish Industry Authority.
The Wine Standards Board.
A local authority (as defined by section 86).
A National Park authority established for a National Park in...
The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew....
The British Potato Council.
Canal & River Trust.
The Broads Authority.
The Commission for Rural Communities.
Agricultural etc. boards
A board is (by virtue of this Schedule) a body...
A section 87 order must include provision—
A section 87 order may include provision requiring any documents...
A board is not to be regarded—
A board is to consist of— (a) a chairman appointed...
The appropriate authority may appoint one of the members to...
A section 87 order may include provision as to qualification...
A section 87 order may include provision as to—
A section 87 order may include provision—
A section 87 order may include provision as to the...
A section 87 order may include provision requiring the board...
Functions which may be assigned to boards
Promoting or undertaking scientific research.
Promoting or undertaking research into the incidence, prevention and cure...
Promoting or undertaking arrangements for encouraging the entry of persons...
Promoting or undertaking research for improving arrangements for marketing and...
Promoting or undertaking research into matters relating to the consumption...
Promoting arrangements— (a) for co-operative organisations, (b) for supplying materials...
Promoting the development of export trade, including promoting or undertaking...
Promoting or undertaking arrangements for better acquainting the public in...
Promoting or undertaking the collection and formulation of statistics.
Advising on any matters relating to the industry (other than...
Undertaking arrangements for making available information obtained, and for advising,...
(1) Promoting or undertaking inquiry— (a) as to materials and...
Promoting the production and marketing of standard products.
Promoting the better definition of trade descriptions and consistency in...
Developing, promoting, marketing or operating— (a) standards relating to the...
Developing, reviewing or operating schemes for the certification of products...
Undertaking the certification of products, the registration of certification trade...
Providing or promoting the provision of— (a) training for persons...
(1) Promoting— (a) the adoption of measures for securing safer...
Ancillary provisions relating to boards
(1) A section 87 order may include provision—
(1) A section 87 order may include provision—
(1) A section 87 order may include provision conferring a...
(1) A section 87 order may include provision for enabling...
(1) A section 87 order may include provision—
A section 87 order may provide that the board (or...
(1) A section 87 order may include provision enabling the...
(1) A section 87 order may include provision making the...
(1) A section 87 order may create offences in relation...
Minor and consequential amendments
(1) Amend section 5 (provisions as to musk rats found...
In each of the following provisions for “the Agency” substitute...
Omit— (a) Article 21 (committee of investigation), and
(1) Amend Article 29 (restrictions on disclosing certain information obtained...
Omit section 1 (functions of Countryside Agency in relation to...
In section 24 (general functions of the Board), omit subsections...
(1) Amend section 22 (traffic regulation for special areas in...
In Schedule 3 (gifts for national purposes, etc.), for “English...
Omit Article 7 (functions of the General Consumer Council in...
In section 18 (designation and management of environmentally sensitive areas),...
In Schedule 2 (supplementary provisions as to the scheduled works...
In Schedule 3 (planning permission), in paragraph 17(4), for paragraphs...
(1) Amend section 6 (general duties of Agency in relation...
(1) Amend section 4 (conservation of areas of natural beauty)...
In section 5 (notification of certain operations within the Broads),...
In— (a) section 6 (byelaws: general), in subsection (4),
In Schedule 2 (variation of area treated as the broads)—...
In Schedule 3 (functions of Authority), in paragraph 33(1), for...
In Schedule 9 (preservation of amenity and fisheries), in paragraph...
In section 36 (grant of waste management licenses), in subsection...
(1) For section 128 (creation and constitution of new Councils)...
For section 129 (grants by Secretary of State to new...
In section 130 (countryside functions of Welsh Council)—
For section 15 (meaning of “nature reserve”) substitute— Meaning of...
(1) Amend section 131 (nature conservation functions: preliminary) as follows....
(1) Amend section 132 (general functions of the Councils) as...
Omit section 133 (special functions of the Councils).
(1) Amend section 134 (grants and loans by Councils) as...
Omit sections 135 to 138 (dissolution of Nature Conservancy Council...
In section 161 (regulations, orders and directions), in subsection (4)(b),...
(1) Amend Schedule 6 as follows. (2) Omit paragraphs 1...
Omit Schedules 7 (the Joint Nature Conservation Committee) and 10...
(1) Amend section 8 (exceptions for persons licensed by the...
(1) Amend section 4 (environmental duties with respect to sites...
(1) Amend section 15A (meaning of “Nature Conservancy Council”) as...
In section 5 (codes of practice with respect to environmental...
(1) Amend section 156 (restriction on disposals of land) as...
In Schedule 1A (the Water Services Regulation Authority), omit paragraph...
In Schedule 6 (orders relating to abstraction of small quantities...
(1) Amend section 61C (duties with respect to sites of...
In section 61E (codes of practice), in subsection (4)(b), for...
In section 6 (applications for orders relating to railways, tramways,...
In section 10 (licences)— (a) in subsections (1), (3), (4)...
Omit section 20 (functions under section 19 of the Agricultural...
Omit Article 22 (functions of certain bodies in relation to...
(1) Amend section 16 (agreements for management of nature reserves)...
In section 4 (principal aims and objectives of the Environment...
(1) Amend section 8 (environmental duties with respect to sites...
In section 9 (codes of practice with respect to environmental...
In section 66 (National Park Management Plans), in subsection (7)(a),...
In section 72 (National Park grant), in subsection (2), for...
In section 99 (consultation before making or modifying certain subordinate...
In Schedule 7 (National Park authorities), in paragraphs 4(1) and...
In Schedule 6 (planning conditions), in the table in paragraph...
In Schedule 14 (overhead lines: consent), in the table in...
In Schedule 4 (public bodies subject to reform by Assembly),...
In each of the following provisions for “the Nature Conservancy...
In Schedule 5 (bodies and offices covered by section 74),...
In section 352 (the Mayor's biodiversity action plan), in subsection...
In section 408 (transfer of property, rights or liabilities), in...
(1) In Schedule 1 (public authorities), amend Part 6 as...
In section 1 (principal definitions for Part 1), in subsection...
In section 4 (duty to prepare maps), in subsection (1),...
(1) Amend section 20 (codes of conduct and other information)...
In section 26 (nature conservation and heritage preservation), in subsection...
In section 33 (guidance by countryside bodies to National Park...
In section 58 (application for path creation order), for subsection...
In section 17 (compulsory acquisition of land for establishment of...
In section 61 (rights of way improvement plans: supplemental), in...
Omit section 73 (Nature Conservancy Council for England: change of...
Omit section 74 (conservation of biological diversity).
In section 82 (designation of areas of outstanding natural beauty),...
In each of the following provisions for “the Agency” substitute...
In section 85 (general duty of public bodies etc.), in...
In section 87 (general purposes and powers), in subsection (2),...
In section 90 (supplementary provisions relating to management plans for...
In section 92 (interpretation of Part 4 etc.), in subsection...
In section 101 (expenses), omit paragraph (a).
In section 18 (compulsory acquisition of land for maintenance of...
(1) In Schedule 11 (transitional provisions and savings relating to...
In Schedule 2 (listed authorities), in Part 2, omit paragraphs...
In Schedule 1 (the Water Services Regulation Authority), in the...
In Schedule 2 (the specified authorities), omit the entry relating...
In Schedule 1 (Category 1 and 2 responders), after paragraph...
(1) In— (a) the provisions listed in sub-paragraph (2), and...
In Part 1 of Schedule 17 to the Transport Act...
In section 19 (declarations as to what are nature reserves),...
In section 21 (establishment of nature reserves by local authorities),...
Omit section 32 (advisory committees).
In section 50A (application of Part 4 in Wales), in...
In section 64 (access agreements), omit subsection (5).
In the heading to section 85 (general duty of Commission...
In the heading to section 86 (information services to be...
In section 114 (interpretation), in subsection (1), omit the definition...
In Schedule 1 (provisions as to making, confirmation, coming into...
In— (a) section 1 (power to authorise execution of manoeuvres),...
In section 19 (consumers' committees and committees' of investigation), omit...
(1) Amend section 20 (directions by Ministers to boards as...
(1) Amend section 21 (temporary directions by Ministers) as follows....
In section 34 (power to enter on and inspect land),...
(1) Amend section 32 (general provisions as to commissions and...
In section 47 (restrictions on disclosing certain information obtained under...
In section 53 (provisions as to Northern Ireland), in subsection...
In Schedule 3 (matters referred to in the definition of...
(1) In Schedule 1 (definition of public records), amend Part...
In section 6 (further non-trading functions of Authority), in subsection...
In section 17 (offences in relation to scheme under section...
In section 39 (meaning of “public office” etc.), in subsection...
In section 5A (byelaws under section 5 for marine environmental...
(1) Amend Schedule 2 (departments and authorities subject to investigation)...
In section 5 (restriction on disclosure of information), after subsection...
Omit section 24 (disclosure of information).
In the heading preceding section 1, for “Agency” substitute “...
For section 1 (general functions of the Countryside Agency and...
(1) Amend section 2 (new functions of the Agency) as...
(1) Amend section 4 (experimental projects or schemes) as follows....
In section 8 (country park: sailing, boating, bathing and fishing),...
(1) Amend section 12 (facilities in or near National Parks)...
In section 13 (lakes in national parks: control of boats...
(1) Amend section 15 (agreements in respect of areas of...
(1) Amend section 15A (compulsory purchase) as follows.
(1) Amend section 9 (levies for certain purposes for industries...
In section 23 (provision of facilities by Forestry Commissioners), in...
In section 37 (protection for interests in countryside) for “the...
In section 38 (avoidance of pollution), for “the Agency” substitute...
(1) Amend section 41 (power to make byelaws and related...
In section 45 (agreements with landowners), in subsection (1), omit...
(1) Amend section 46 (application of general provisions of 1949...
In section 49 (interpretation), in subsection (2), omit the definition...
(1) Amend section 10 (power to grant licences) as follows....
(1) Amend Schedule 1 (kinds of employment to which that...
For section 9 (grants and loans by the Countryside Agency...
For the title of Part 1, substitute “ The Countryside...
(1) Amend Schedule 1 (offices disqualifying for membership) as follows....
(1) Amend Schedule 1A (bodies and other persons subject to...
In section 1 (power to limit the import etc. of...
In section 105B (procedure), in subsection (8), in paragraph (b)...
In section 119D (diversion of certain highways for protection of...
In section 119E (provisions supplementary to section 119D), in subsection...
In section 120 (exercise of powers of making public path...
In section 135A (temporary diversion for dangerous works), in subsection...
(1) Amend section 21 (destruction of wild life on infection...
In section 22 (powers of entry for section 21), in...
(1) Amend section 1 (the Countryside Agency and the Countryside...
In section 10 (exceptions to section 9), in subsection (5),...
In section 15 (endangered species (import and export)), in subsection...
(1) Amend section 16 (power to grant licences) as follows....
(1) In section 21 (penalties, forfeitures, etc.), in subsections (4)...
(1) Amend section 22 (power to vary Schedules) as follows....
(1) Amend section 24 (functions of Nature Conservancy Council) as...
(1) Amend section 27 (interpretation of Part 1) as follows....
Omit section 27A (construction of references to Nature Conservancy Council)...
Before section 28 insert— Sites of special scientific interest and...
In sections 28 to 32 (which relate to sites of...
(1) Amend section 3 (power of Minister to give directions...
In section 28E (duties in relation to sites of special...
(1) Amend section 28G (statutory undertakers, etc.: general duty) as...
In section 33 (ministerial guidance as respects areas of special...
(1) Amend section 34 (limestone pavement orders) as follows.
Before section 35 insert— Nature reserves, marine nature reserves and...
In sections 35 to 37, for “the Nature Conservancy Council”...
In section 37A (Ramsar sites—wetlands of international importance), in subsections...
In section 39 (management agreements with owners and occupiers of...
(1) Amend section 41 (duties of agriculture Ministers with respect...
Before section 42 insert— Application of sections 42 to 45...
In section 4A (application of Part 2 in Wales), in...
(1) Amend section 43 (maps of National Parks showing certain...
(1) Amend section 45 (power to vary orders designating National...
(1) Amend section 47 (provisions with respect to the Countryside...
In section 49 (extension of power to appoint wardens)—
(1) Amend section 50 (payments under certain agreements offered by...
(1) Amend section 51 (powers of entry) as follows.
In section 52 (interpretation of Part 2), in subsection (1),...
(1) Amend section 71 (general interpretation) as follows.
Omit Schedule 13 (provisions with respect to the Countryside Agency)....
In section 1 (power of Secretary of State to give...
Repeals and revocations
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Wildlife and Habitat Protection | Historic England (opens in a new tab) from Historic England Detailed Guidance
- Bat surveys - Bat Conservation Trust Good Practice Guidelines (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Defra's statement on the strengthened biodiversity duty (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Natural Resources Wales - Enforcement and sanctions policy (opens in a new tab) Other
- Habitats and species of principal importance in England (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Natural England framework document 2022 (opens in a new tab) Publication
- NIEA wildlife licensing (Northern Ireland) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- NatureScot wildlife licensing (Scotland) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Wild birds - understanding the law (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- ... and 8 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Environment Agency
PrimaryEnvironmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …
Office for Environmental Protection
Independent body established post-Brexit to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints about public authorities' failures to comply with environmental law in England …
Scotland's nature agency. Advises government, manages protected areas, licenses activities affecting wildlife. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
Statutory levy board funded by farmers, growers, and others in the agriculture and horticulture supply chain. Collects levies on livestock, cereals, oilseeds, …
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
Government adviser for the natural environment in England. Responsible for wildlife licensing (protected species), designating and managing protected sites (SSSIs, National Nature …
Natural Resources Wales
Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, …
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scotland's principal environmental regulator. Protects and improves Scotland's environment. Issues environmental permits for waste, emissions, water abstraction, and radioactive substances. Enforces environmental …
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Regulators
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