Growing Green: How England's Cities are Putting Nature at the Heart of Development

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Connecting People with Nature, Development, Green Infrastructure, Natural England, Nature, Nature-based solutions, Parks, trails and nature reserves
A group of 10 people (mixed gender) stand together smiling outside of an old building with trees and shrubs.

By Nicola Brown, Senior Officer, Green Infrastructure  This blog explores the amazing green infrastructure work being done across the UK and Europe to ensure that our towns and cities are resilient enough to cope with the effects of climate change. …

Nature and Growth - Reflections from UKREiiF

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Environmental Delivery Plan, Natural England, Nature, Nature Restoration Fund, Planning, Wildlife
A man and 4 women sit on individual armchairs on a stage, each with a microphone, engaged in a panel discussion in front of an audience.

By Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England In this blog, our Chief Executive Marian Spain reflects on her recent attendance at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum and discusses the major role that nature plays in growth and …

Integrating clean power and the natural environment 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Development, Green Infrastructure, Growth, Natural England, Nature, Wildlife
Large solar panels in a green field, under a blue sunny sky with a few clouds.

By Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England In this blog, our Chair Tony Juniper reflects on a recent site visit to a solar farm in Essex where he saw first-hand how clean solar energy can be delivered alongside measures to support biodiversity and …

Celebrating 75 Years of the Countryside Code!

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Education, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature

By Clare Webb, Countryside Code Project Manager at Natural England.  In this blog, Countryside Code Project Manager Clare Webb reflects on the evolution of the code over the last 75 years, and how her work has changed to accommodate evolving …

A shared picture of progress: new Defra and Natural England evidence shows 77,638 hectares of habitat target delivery

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Habitat, Monitoring, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery
Planted hedgerow gaps. Credit: Peter Roworth

By Alice Howard, Senior Data Scientist Defra and Natural England have published the 2026 habitat target metric, showing that action has been undertaken on 77,638 hectares to create or restore wildlife-rich habitat across England since January 2023, nearly double last …

Nutrient Mitigation Scheme - clarification of Natural England's role

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development, Environmental Delivery Plan, Growth, Nutrient Neutrality

There has been recent reporting in the media and on social media around Natural England’s role in delivering the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme. Natural England has a statutory duty to support sustainable development. We work with developers and planning authorities to …

Supporting the return of white‑tailed eagles to Exmoor

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Licensing, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Species re-introductions, Species recovery, Wild Again
White-tailed eagles hunting as a pair. Credit: Ainsley Bennett

By Roxanne Gardiner, Senior Officer, Natural England Wildlife Licensing Service and Olivia Beatty, Higher Officer, Wessex Area Team Natural England has issued a licence enabling the next phase of white-tailed eagle reintroductions in southern England, permitting the release of up …

White stork, black stork and other vagrant bird species

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Birds, Natural England, Nature, Species re-introductions, Species recovery
A white stork released in Devon, 2025. Credit: Richie Moore

By Jeremy Sabel and Matt Heydon Natural England’s Species Recovery & Reintroductions Team Projects involving the release of white stork Ciconia ciconia capture the public imagination. If fairy tales are to be believed, white storks bring good luck and deliver …

Hinkley Point C – Clarification of Natural England’s Role and Position

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Natural England, Nature, Planning
Natural England logo

Recent reporting on Hinkley Point C contains a number of inaccuracies regarding Natural England’s role, legal duties, and position on fish protection measures. Natural England is firmly committed to enabling nationally significant infrastructure while ensuring compliance with environmental law. In …

Modernising submissions for Protected Sites requests

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Natural England, Protected sites and species, Site of Special Scientific Interest

By Tracey Hill, Senior Officer - Sites , Nature and People Natural England is making it easier than ever to submit requests relating to protected sites. From 20 April 2026, we are introducing Defra Forms, a new online submission portal, …