Natural England has today, 1 October 2026, outlined changes to how it provides planning advice. The reforms are designed to focus the organisation's expertise on planning proposals that present the greatest risks or opportunities for nature.
The new approach will allow Natural England to prioritise complex and strategic cases, engaging earlier in the planning process. This shift aims to move away from providing repeated advice on individual cases where established guidance already exists, instead focusing on larger-scale work to identify and resolve environmental issues sooner.
Natural England will continue to fulfil its statutory responsibilities to protect nature, with existing protections for habitats, species, and designated sites remaining in place. The changes relate to the delivery of advice, ensuring expertise is directed towards high-risk and high-opportunity cases.
Neil Hornby, Natural England's new Chief Executive, stated that this change will help focus expertise where it can have the greatest impact for nature, while supporting efficient decision-making across the planning system. The changes will be introduced gradually, with Natural England working with local planning authorities, developers, and partners during implementation.