Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 67
67
Accepted
Publish paper detailing Natural England's required resourcing to deliver housing targets by March 2026
Recommendation
The Government should publish a paper, by March 2026, clearly laying out the Government’s housing targets, NE’s role as a statutory consultee and in developing and implementing the NRF, and what resourcing will be required for NE going forwards to deliver this. This paper should include details as to how NE will operate in light of staffing cuts and the additional responsibilities that it will be given when the current Planning and Infrastructure Bill is enacted. (Recommendation, Paragraph 227) 98
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Planning and Infrastructure Act establishes Natural England’s role in developing and implementing the NRF and mentions funding allocated to set up and support the NRF.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
121. The Planning and Infrastructure Act establishes Natural England’s role in developing and implementing the NRF, setting out their core responsibilities for producing and delivering EDPs. 122. The NRF has been designed to operate on a cost-recovery basis with the costs of EDPs being met through the payment of the nature restoration levy by developers. The Act also requires Natural England to spend money received by virtue of the nature restoration levy on conservation measures that relate to the environmental feature in relation to which the levy is charged. This ensures that funding received through the levy cannot be used to fund wider activity within Natural England. 123. We have been clear that the resourcing of Natural England to deliver EDPs is a key focus for Government which is why in last year’s Budget £14 million was allocated to set up the NRF and further funding was included in this year’s Budget to support the NRF as part of the wider funding to boost capacity in the planning system. This shows the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Natural England have the necessary support and funding to deliver the NRF. 124. The Government will continue to work closely with Natural England to ensure appropriate resources are in place to administer the NRF. Crucially, the nature of the legislation means that while capacity or funding constraints could limit the number of EDPs coming forward, once in place, there is an established source of funding to ensure that conservation measures are delivered and improved environmental outcomes are secured.