Policy paper

Strategic Policy Statement for Natural England

Published 12 March 2026

Applies to England

Introduction

This is the first Strategic Policy Statement (SPS) published for Natural England (NE), the government’s independent adviser for the natural environment in England.

This is a non-statutory SPS. It is intended to complement NE’s statutory objectives and duties (Annex A), most notably its general purpose as set out in Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, section 2(1) “to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development”. It does not alter any of NE’s statutory objectives or duties, or any other legal obligations or duties whether contained in statute or otherwise.

The SPS has 2 functions. Firstly, it sets out the Secretary of State’s expectations for NE in terms of how it delivers on both nature recovery and economic growth. Secondly, it is designed to be embedded into decision-making, to guide NE’s use of discretion and ensure the effective delivery of these priorities.

The expectations set out in this SPS build on actions NE has already taken and illustrate how NE can go further to support delivery of the government’s strategic priorities. The legal basis and effectiveness of this SPS will be kept under review by the Secretary of State.

Government strategic priorities

The government’s foremost priority is delivering economic growth and regulators are expected to support that objective through their work. These outcomes are linked to relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) in the Regulator KPI Dashboard which support transparent measurement and accountability.

We will publish ambitious and measurable goals to help define how NE is successfully supporting economic growth. The Secretary of State expects NE to support economic growth as a cross-cutting priority, integrated into the following strategic priorities:

• enhance the performance and efficiency of regulatory services
• support nature’s recovery
• improve health and wellbeing
• deliver resilience through nature
• support transformation of the water sector

This section details the substantive outcomes that NE is expected to achieve in the context of each strategic priority and the Secretary of State’s expectations about how NE will optimise and transform its business to ensure that these outcomes are delivered efficiently.

The specific expectations set out below are intended to highlight the Secretary of State’s key areas of interest but do not constitute an exhaustive list. The outcomes set out below are also linked to relevant performance KPIs for NE, as set out in the Regulator KPI Dashboard.

In weighing the risks and opportunities in casework management, NE should generally prioritise the achievement of these outcomes overall, working alongside other regulators. For example, where uncertainty or conflicting options exist, NE should balance its risk judgements in favour of strategic environmental solutions, including recovery of populations over individual organisms, of ecosystems over individual sites, and future recovery prospects over past states that may be unsustainable under climate change.

Enhance the performance and efficiency of regulatory services

NE’s work significantly contributes to the government’s growth mission, particularly delivering its ambitious targets for 1.5 million homes in England and fast-tracking planning decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects. This includes the critical infrastructure that will be required to deliver the government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. Improved planning processes will accelerate delivery of housing and infrastructure, unlocking private investment and supporting productivity growth.

The government’s growth mission spans housing, infrastructure and growth-driving sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, life sciences, digital and technologies and port-related activities. NE is encouraged to consider its role in enabling these sectors by providing proportionate, timely regulation and supporting innovation.

To support this objective, the government expects NE to embed a change in culture that supports proportionate, outcomes focused decision-making which exercises maximum use of constrained discretion (see Strategic Use of Discretion section) to ensure its advice and decisions consistently enable and support sustainable development in areas where its statutory and regulatory framework allows for such discretion. NE should ensure its casework supports flexible, proactive and legally defensible decision-making in pursuit of these objectives.

The Secretary of State expects NE to:

• reset decision making to an innovative and solutions-focused approach, weighing risks and opportunities for nature recovery wherever possible
• focus effort earlier in the process on identifying strategic environmental solutions (over a broader geographical scale) to site-specific issues. This will ensure maximum benefit for nature restoration, whilst reducing the need for bespoke, complex and costly mitigations at project level
• implement the Nature Restoration Fund by summer 2026, delivering the first Environmental Delivery Plans, which will cover nutrient pollution from development affecting protected sites, and learning from these to support wider roll out, unlocking development and growth. This work should also build nature into early decision-making as part of planning reform and incorporate nature into spatial development strategies and plans
• prioritise recruitment, training and retention of appropriately skilled staff while also making digital improvements to maintain high service levels. This should include ensuring sufficient specialist and senior resource is in place to support on priority projects and delivering digital transformation to maximise efficiencies and improve casework response times, including meeting the statutory duty to respond to planning applications within 21 days or agreed timescales
• embed a solutions-focused approach in casework and explore opportunities to simplify processes for smaller developments, while maintaining nature recovery commitments
• ensure the right expertise and escalation routes are in place to enable priority projects. NE should engage early and constructively with Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project applicants as they develop proposals and be present and responsive during examinations. This should also include using Defra’s Infrastructure Board and Water Delivery Taskforce to escalate and resolve challenges
• work constructively in an advisory capacity with other regulators, water and sewerage undertakers, and local planning authorities to ensure needs of protected sites are incorporated into planning for growth and housing where NE is concerned about water abstraction or wastewater impacts on protected sites of a spatial development strategy, a local plan, or a planning application
• work closely with Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser and scientific teams, to ensure that regulatory decisions are informed by the latest evidence and to support development of innovative, nature‑based and proportionate regulatory approaches. This collaboration should strengthen consistent use of science across regulators and help drive improvements in casework quality and confidence
• champion and embed the programme of new approaches to regulation that support economic growth, including those identified by the Corry Review. This includes piloting the Lead Environmental Regulator model including identifying appropriate projects to form part of the pilot programme and ensuring there is clear accountability within the organisation for priority projects
• support delivery of the Marine Recovery Fund through timely advice to developers during the initial phase, and advice on adaptive management once measures are delivered. NE should also support development of new strategic compensation measures needed to permit offshore wind developments and improve ocean health while supporting economic growth
• deliver its commitments in the Regulation Action Plan, which include accelerating responses to planning applications to consistently meet KPIs , proactively engaging with major infrastructure and housebuilding programmes, maximising use of enhanced pre-application advice and strategic solutions and accelerating Organisational and Project Licensing and the Bat Earned Recognition Programme
• support the government’s ambition to reduce administrative burdens on businesses by 25%, by ensuring that regulatory processes are proportionate and minimise unnecessary administrative requirements

Support nature’s recovery

Nature’s recovery is central to the government’s targets under the Environment Act, particularly halting the decline in species abundance by 2030. NE is responsible for leading work to meet this target in collaboration with landowners and local delivery partners.

The Secretary of State expects NE to:

• prioritise piloting earned autonomy so trusted partners can restore nature more efficiently, shifting regulator resource and focus from low to high-risk activities
• play a lead role in delivery of the statutory biodiversity targets and interim targets, including halting the decline in species abundance by 2030, and creating or restoring 500,000ha of wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected sites by 2042
• work with partners to finalise all 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs). This should include incorporating LNRSs into NE’s own delivery plans, providing support to embed these into spatial development strategies and plans, and ensuring LNRSs drive co-ordination of actions to support delivery of the Environmental Improvement Plan
• work with Defra and partners on Biodiversity Net Gain so it is straightforward for developers whilst preserving and enhancing nature alongside new developments
• support progress towards the government’s commitment to restore 75% of protected sites to favourable condition by 2042 through the implementation of at least twenty Protected Site Strategies over the next 5 years
• play a lead role in delivering the government’s international commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 (30by30), including ensuring that National Landscapes and National Parks are greener, wilder, and more accessible for all
• take a risk-based approach to monitoring compliance and make monitoring information more accessible to public scrutiny. Bring robust enforcement action against those who damage the environment

Improve health and wellbeing

Access to nature plays an important part in the government’s work to improve physical and mental health for the benefit of our citizens, NHS and economy. Where responsible access is successfully facilitated, this also benefits sectors such as tourism and recreation which contribute significantly to rural economies. NE should reduce barriers to nature as well as encouraging responsible enjoyment of green and blue space.

The Secretary of State expects NE to:

• support progress towards the government’s commitment to ensure that anyone can reach green or blue space within 15 minutes’ walk from home including by working with partners such as local authorities and transport bodies to support safe and sustainable access routes
• complete and launch the Coast to Coast and King Charles III England Coast Paths in 2026
• encourage and lead adoption of Green Social Prescribing into public health policy and plans
• set standards for and encourage adoption of urban green infrastructure

Deliver resilience through nature

The government is delivering on our climate ambitions including overall delivery of net zero, maximising the economic opportunity the transition presents and also pursuing adaptation measures to protect homes, livelihoods, and economic growth against the impacts of our changing climate.

NE should support the development and delivery of nature-based solutions as a long-term, cost-effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving national resilience to threats including biodiversity loss, flooding, drought and wildfires.

This includes contributing to wider climate‑resilience efforts, for example where nature‑based solutions can help maintain the resilience of surrounding infrastructure such as transport networks

The Secretary of State expects NE to:

• Deliver the Landscape Recovery Scheme and provide clear and targeted technical advice and support to farmers’ and land managers’ applications to the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme working closely with Defra, the RPA and the Forestry Commission
• deliver the Peatland Capital Grant Scheme and Paludiculture Exploration Fund to reduce carbon emissions and manage the impacts of climate change
• support tree cover targets by providing advice on ‘right tree right place’ to increase biodiversity and carbon secured through woodland
• streamline regulation with strategic solutions to unlock low carbon, championing innovation and experimentation to meet challenges and opportunities in a changing climate
• expand use of nature-based solutions such as wetlands and urban greening

Support transformation of the water sector

The government has published its A new vision for water: white paper, setting out its vision for reform of the water sector and wider water system to make sure it delivers our most critical outcomes – safe and secure supplies of water, a protected and enhanced environment, a fair deal for customers and investors – in a way that is more efficient and integrated.

This will drive growth through improving the resilience of our water infrastructure, reducing water leakage, lowering costs for businesses and households, and supporting growth in water technology markets.

The white paper will be complemented by a transition plan later in 2026, setting out how the government will implement these reforms at pace, including through the set-up and planning for the 2029 price review. When a single water regulator is established, NE has a fundamental role to play to support these reforms, as well as to support water companies to deliver the investment agreed through Ofwat’s Price Review 2024.

The Secretary of State expects NE to:

• carry out its water advisory functions until the single water regulator is established
• increase join-up with Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Environment Agency, in collaboration with the department, to prepare for the formation of the new regulator
• support the 2029 price review, in line with the changes that will be set out in the transition plan

Operating model

NE is expected to modernise its operations, working with Defra to take full advantage of new opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and other new technology to deliver on these policy priorities. This includes investing in digital solutions and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability to deliver service improvements and efficiencies, transformation in casework and better data sharing, supporting delivery of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.

NE should look to make best use of the funding it receives from the core department and income received from those it regulates supporting delivery of key digital improvements.

NE should also report annually on AI‑enabled innovation and growth, including key actions, outcomes, transparent metrics, and lessons learned. Taken together this focus should enable NE to become an increasingly agile and responsive regulator.

Strategic use of discretion

The Secretary of State expects NE to use its discretion to ensure advice and decisions align with its strategic priorities, while acting in accordance with the relevant statutory and regulatory framework.

This is the concept of “constrained discretion” which can help regulators focus on delivering outcomes over process. NE should focus on resetting its organisational culture to help enable this change in approach.

To support proper application of constrained discretion, the Secretary of State expects NE to:

• establish governance of constrained discretion through its pre-existing frameworks, specifically internal guidance and oversight processes. This should build on the principles set out below and clarify how to manage risks when making decisions
• train decision-makers on the application of constrained discretion principles in practice
• ensure accountability by recording decision-making and following appropriate review processes.

In line with the Good Regulatory Practice transparency principle, the Secretary of State expects NE to have open and honest, data-driven discussions with Ministers about delivery and performance, including any barriers to progress, whilst escalating issues as needed through departmental sponsor teams.

NE should take account of any priorities set by the Secretary of State throughout the year, including during routine delivery and performance discussions

Constrained discretion principles

In exercising constrained discretion, NE is encouraged to have regard to the following principles:

Strategic alignment for the long term

NE decision-making should align with the Defra Secretary of State’s strategic priorities and the government’s wider objectives as set out in the Plan for Change. NE should also align with Defra-wide documents such as the Defra group Outcomes Framework, using this to focus delivery and assure progress towards achieving long-term collective goals. This will help ensure consistency across regulators and supports a unified approach.

NE should prioritise successful delivery of strategic priorities in the long term. In doing so, NE should consider the current and future needs of people and the environment.

Joined-up and place-based approach

Regulatory activities should be informed by an understanding of the local context, wider environmental conditions, and place-based priorities. Where appropriate, NE should balance the needs of individual sites in the context of the wider local environment within which they sit. NE should also consider where areas have been empowered through devolution to develop locally led solutions that deliver on national priorities, for example Local Nature Recovery Strategies and Local Growth Plans.

In all cases, NE is expected to collaborate with other relevant regulators, planning bodies and government departments to ensure joined-up regulatory decision-making which best serves local communities. This includes aligning timetables, sharing relevant data and conducting reviews in parallel where appropriate.

Supporting innovation

The Secretary of State expects NE to work with its stakeholders to find creative solutions and give pragmatic support to achieve good outcomes for nature and for growth, whilst operating within the existing legal framework. This could involve testing new, innovative solutions and ensuring that NE’s science-based approach reflects the latest findings and innovations.

NE is also encouraged to champion innovation by adequately resourcing innovation in workforce planning and growing innovation capability through tools and training on the scale needed.

NE should engage with emerging sectors to identify regulatory approaches that enable growth while protecting the environment, including making use of tools such as AI and regulatory sandboxes where this is appropriate to test new approaches.

Defra will support NE in these efforts, through sharing work between the organisations’ chief scientists and through statements such as these which set clear expectations.

Constrained discretion should be used to build cases that inform future policy and legislative changes.

Annex A: Overarching regulatory duties

NE’s discretion must be exercised within scope of NE’s statutory powers and duties, as primarily set out in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

In addition to discharging its specific statutory duties, NE must have regard to good regulatory practice principles in all relevant decision-making. It must also comply with the UK government’s Regulators’ Code and Growth Duty.

Good regulatory practice principles

NE continues to be bound by the statutory principles of good regulatory practice and must exercise its discretion in accordance with these. The principles are transparency, accountability, proportionality, and consistency.

The Regulators’ Code

The Regulators’ Code provides a framework for delivering regulation that is transparent and suits the needs of both regulators, and regulated entities such as businesses, organisations, institutions, or individuals. The principles of constrained discretion have been developed with regard to the code.

NE is already subject to the code and should continue to account for it when developing guidance and operational procedures. The code stipulates that regulators should:

• carry out their activities in a way that supports those they regulate to comply and grow
• provide simple and straightforward ways to engage with those they regulate and hear their views
• base their regulatory activities on risk
• share information about compliance and risk
• ensure clear information, guidance and advice is available to help those they regulate meet their responsibilities to comply
• ensure that their approach to their regulatory activities is transparent

The Growth Duty                

The Growth Duty requires regulators to have regard to the desirability of promoting economic growth, alongside their core statutory functions. The Secretary of State expects Defra’s regulators to apply the duty in a way that supports sustainable growth, innovation and productivity, while maintaining high standards of environmental and public protection.

NE is already subject to the duty and should reflect this in its strategic planning, decision-making processes, and performance reporting. This includes actively considering how regulatory decisions enable economic growth, such as accelerating housing delivery, supporting clean energy industries, and facilitating innovation in growth-driving sectors.

NE should understand the impacts of its decisions on businesses and engage proactively with stakeholders to understand barriers to growth.

NE is committed to several KPIs aligned with the investment, infrastructure and planning pillar of the government’s growth mission which are set out in the Regulators KPI dashboard.