Regulator Profile
Natural England
Enforcement Regulator3
Areas of regulation
12
Laws enforced
England
Environmental
Protected Sites
Wildlife Licensing
What Natural England does
Government adviser for the natural environment in England. Responsible for wildlife licensing (protected species), designating and managing protected sites (SSSIs, National Nature Reserves, National Parks). Issues environmental permits for activities affecting nature.
Additional information
Scotland: NatureScot. Wales: Natural Resources Wales (NRW) handles nature conservation. Northern Ireland: NIEA.
Legal framework
Legislation that Natural England enforces.
Primary legislation
- NPACA 1949 Act 1949
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Act 1981
- Deer Act 1991 Act 1991
- Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Act 1992
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Act 2000
- Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 Act 2009
- Environment Act 2021 (enhancement) Act 2021
Secondary legislation
- Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) (No.2) Regulations 2006 UK Statutory Instrument 2006
- Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument 2009
- Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 UK Statutory Instrument 2017
- Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 UK Statutory Instrument 2019
- Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 UK Statutory Instrument 2024
Sectors regulated
Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets
Construction
Environment