Natural England quizzed on development regulations and land management schemes
The EFRA Committee will question Natural England on a range of topics, including the Government’s reforms to environmental regulations that can apply to housing and infrastructure developments, and its work with farmers to promote nature improvement schemes on farmland.
MPs will question the advisory body’s Chair, Tony Juniper, and its Chief Executive, Marian Spain.
Mr Juniper said in 2020 that Natural England had too many responsibilities relative to its size. Its budget has been cut by 12% since 2024/25 and it is aiming to shed 172 staff under a voluntary exit scheme by March 2026.
The cross-party Committee is likely to discuss new restrictions on upland peat burning amid concerns they could increase the risk of wildfires, and why Natural England hasn’t scaled up Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship Schemes
Meeting details
There may also be questions about Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), which aim to speed up development by changing how certain environmental obligations are met. EDPs allow property developers to pay into a fund for a designated area, which would compensate for the loss or damage caused to habitats covered by the development.