Regulator profile
Natural England
Enforcement Regulator3 areas of regulation · 12 laws enforced · England
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.
Contact Natural England
Types of regulation
Legal framework
Legislation that Natural England directly 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
- The Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 UK Statutory Instrument 2024
Related legislation
Legislation connected to Natural England's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Establishing / enabling
-
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
UK Act of Parliament 2006
Administered / monitored
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The Conservation of Habitats and Species and Planning (Various Amendments) (England and Wales) Regulations 2018
UK Statutory Instrument 2018 -
Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
UK Statutory Instrument 2019 -
The Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024
UK Statutory Instrument 2024 -
The Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations 2024
UK Statutory Instrument 2024 -
The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Isle of Sheppey) (No. 1) Order 2025
UK Statutory Instrument 2025 -
Wildlife Licence Charges (England) Order 2025 (SI 2025/236)
UK Statutory Instrument 2025
Referenced in enforcement
-
Hedgerows Regulations 1997
UK Statutory Instrument 1997 -
The Town and Country Planning (Regions)(National Parks)(England) Order 2004
UK Statutory Instrument 2004 -
Commons Act 2006 (secondary role)
UK Act of Parliament 2006 -
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
UK Statutory Instrument 2016 -
Agriculture Act 2020
UK Act of Parliament 2020 -
Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023
UK Statutory Instrument 2023
Other publications
39 additional documents from Natural England.
- The Countryside Code: advice for land managers
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Using the nutrient neutrality calculators
Published 28 February 2024
-
Water voles: apply for a mitigation licence (A11)
Published 21 December 2022
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Protected species: apply for a mitigation licence (A05 and A05a)
Published 30 September 2022
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Beavers: how to manage them and when you need a licence
Published 2 September 2022
Sectors regulated
Coverage area
England