Guidance

Heather and grass burning restoration plan

You may need to complete a restoration plan if you're applying for a licence to burn heather or grass on peat deeper than 30cm in a less favoured area.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
1 May 2021
Last updated
30 September 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Template restoration plan

ODT, 22.6 KB

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Details

You need to complete a restoration plan if both of the following apply: 

You’ll be asked to submit your restoration plan during your licence application. 

What the plan should contain

Your restoration plan should:

  • describe the site
  • outline the proposed works
  • provide sufficient evidence that the peatland habitat is unlikely to improve without this intervention

The template plan document on this page outlines the type of information you need to include.

How to complete a restoration plan 

Use the template plan on this page. You should answer every question in as much detail as possible.

You’ll need to include supporting evidence in your plan, such as photographs.

Updates to this page

Published 1 May 2021
Last updated 30 September 2025 show all updates

  1. Updated the page to include a template restoration plan. This plan should be completed when applying for a licence to burn under reason 3.1 (to conserve, enhance or manage the natural or historic environment).

  2. Updated guidance on creating a blanket bog restoration plan.

  3. First published.

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