Natural England is the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. Its strategy centres around restoring natural systems and improving their resilience, integrating nature into development, improving public access to nature and using nature to strengthen the UK’s resilience. It makes key contributions to the development of the UK and futureproofing England’s landscapes. It was established in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. It is sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It carries out its various functions with due regard to Defra’s aims and objectives, but ultimately must still act with technical expertise, impartiality and transparency. It has an extensive range of statutory duties and powers, including designating areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest, issuing licenses in relation to protected species, and providing grants to support environmental projects.
