Corporate report

Non-qualifying regulatory provisions summary report 2015 to 2017

Updated 21 December 2022

Applies to England

Regulator: Natural England

Non-qualifying regulatory provisions - 8 May 2015 to 8 June 2017

Excluded category [footnote 1] Summary of measure(s), including any impact data where available
L1 – Casework Between 8 May 2015 and 26 May 2016 we responded to 45,502, casework consultations and 45,089 casework consultations between 27 May 2016 and 8 June 2017. See the casework breakdown.
L2 – Education, communications and promotion In 2016 we concluded the transfer of our guidance onto the GOV.UK single platform, making the content more accessible and easier to read and meeting our target to delete unnecessary or out of date guidance. Between 2015 and 2017 we made 433 publications available to our customers via GOV.UK on subjects as diverse as our non-financial scheme of delegation, badger setts to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. We have continued to invest in enhancing our online services such as our Integrated Risk Zone mapping tool to make it easier for planners and developers to identify their potential impact on Sites of Special Scientific Interest. We have continued to promote our activities and services through publications such as the European Protected Species Newsletter (6 publications in 2015 and 2016).
L3 – Activity related to policy development In 2015-16 we undertook 2 consultations on proposed changes to our protected species licensing process. We also undertook an additional 47 site specific consultations relating to the England Coast Path (4), Marine Special Protection Areas (5) and open access restrictions (38). In 2016-17 we undertook 2 consultations on proposals to change the current protected species licensing policies and a consultation on official statistics. We also undertook an additional 28 site specific consultations relating to the England Coast Path (4), Marine Special Protection Areas (5) and open access restrictions (19).
L4 – Changes to management of regulator In September 2016 we concluded our reorganisation from a functional model to an area-based model, with 14 Area Teams supported by a number of national teams. This included a substantial change in our management structure. In early 2015 we moved our local office from Lewes to Worthing and also moved from Taunton to Bridgwater in November 2015. We relocated our offices in Worcester, Bristol and Exeter in 2016 and 2017.

Casework breakdown

Area of work 8 May 2015- 26 May 2016 27 May 2016-8 June 2017
Terrestrial planning consultations 24,706 23,987
SSSI Consents 3817 4205
Marine planning consultations 1840 1147
Wildlife licensing applications 15,139 15,750
  1. For definitions of excluded categories, see Annex 1 in Better regulation framework: guidance