Consultation outcome

Heather and grass burning in England

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
31 March 2025
Last updated
9 September 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Summary of responses and government response

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Detail of outcome

We received 1,861 responses to the consultation. We have amended The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 to increase protections for peatland.

Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on proposed amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

We want to know your views on potential amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021. We are also seeking views on the licence application process under the regulations.

80% of England’s peatlands are degraded, with rotational burning being a contributory factor in upland regions. Protecting peat from further damage is crucial to its restoration and recovery.

Updates to this page

Published 31 March 2025
Last updated 9 September 2025 show all updates

  1. Added the summary of responses and government response.

  2. We've added details on the number of responses received and the next steps that are planned.

  3. First published.

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