Natural England - Spatial planning
Spatial planning
Spatial planning brings together and integrates policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function. The spatial planning system provides significant opportunities and challenges for the natural environment.
Why is Natural England involved in spatial planning?
The spatial planning system is an important delivery mechanism for much of Natural England's work. Our aim is to ensure that the spatial planning system conserves and enhances the natural environment and delivers high quality, environmentally sustainable development. We want spatial planning policies and decisions to:
conserve and enhance the natural environment through the wise use of natural resources;
mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change;
provide the highest levels of protection for England's protected landscapes, habitats, sites and species;
be based on robust environmental evidence and a thorough understanding of environmental capacity and the cumulative impacts of development;
deliver substantial benefits for the natural environment and people together. This should include enhancement of biodiversity and landscape, opportunities to access and enjoy the natural environment and the provision of multi-functional green infrastructure.
How is Natural England involved in spatial planning?
We influence plans and policies at national, regional and local levels, engage with the planning system as a statutory consultee on environmental assessment processes and many development proposals and work in partnership with other bodies to demonstrate high quality development and develop good practice.
Our national planning team works with key national stakeholders including the Department for Communities and Local Government, Defra, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, English Heritage and environmental Non Governmental Organisations. We are developing positions and good practice on spatial planning issues. We are engaging in the planning reform process and are influencing National Policy Statements for major infrastructure and the Community Infrastructure Levy to ensure they recognise the value of the natural environment and deliver benefits for it.
Our regional and area teams are working to demonstrate high quality development in Growth Areas, Growth Points and proposed Eco-towns and to influence plans, strategies and development proposals throughout England to maximise benefits for, and minimise harm to the natural environment.
We are a statutory consultee on regional spatial strategies, local development frameworks, strategic environmental assessment, environmental impact assessment and many development proposals. We have particular responsibilities for National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Ramsar Sites, National Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and protected species.
Our views on improving the environmental quality of new development are set out in our Spatial Planning Position 
and the joint agency publication Environmental Quality in Spatial Planning along with their supplementary files .
Nature After Minerals Programme
Natural England and the RSPB work in partnership in The Nature After Minerals Programme, with support from the Mineral Products Association and working with mineral planners and industry to help nature following minerals extraction.
View more information about the programme .
