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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.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
18 June 2021
Last updated:
30 September 2025
Show all updates

  1. We've updated the page to include a link to the new online application form. We've also added links to the updated restoration plan template and the new wildfire management plan template.

  2. 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.

  3. Updated the details, guidance, form and continuation sheet.

  4. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Guidance: how to apply for a licence to burn on peat deeper than 30cm within a less favoured area

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Privacy notice: applications for a licence under The Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2007 and 2021

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Details

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

How to apply

To apply for a licence to burn, you should first 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’.

You should then complete the online application form.

Apply for a licence

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