Apply for a licence to burn on peat deeper than 30cm within a less favoured area
How to apply for a licence from Defra to burn heather or grass on peat deeper than 30cm within a less favoured area.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Defra’s new online form will become available on this page on 30 September 2025. Use this guidance to understand what evidence you’ll need to provide to apply for this licence.
Check if you need a licence to burn heather, rough grass and other vegetation.
Before you apply for a licence, read the guidance document on this page titled ‘how to apply for a licence to burn on peat deeper than 30cm within a less favoured area’.
This form is for a licence to burn heather, rough grass and other vegetation (gorse, bracken and Vaccinium species such as bilberries) which is both:
- on peat deeper than 30cm
- on a site within a less favoured area (LFA) – these are typically upland areas where the natural characteristics (such as geology, altitude and climate) make economic competition difficult
Updates to this page
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The rules on burning on deep peat are changing. From 30 September 2025, you must apply for a Defra licence to burn on peat deeper than 30cm if the land is within a less favoured area (LFA). You must apply for a licence through Defra’s new online form. This form will become available on this page on 30 September 2025. We’ve updated this guidance to clarify what evidence you’ll need to provide to apply for this licence, in advance of applications opening.
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Updated the details, guidance, form and continuation sheet.
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First published.