Planning-related consultations: who to contact
For local authority and policy makers and Environment Agency consultations for Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
All Strategic and Development Management consultations (see below for clarification) from local authority and policy makers and Environment Agency consultations for Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside should, where possible, be emailed to: nwplanning@naturalengland.org.uk preferably with a link to the consultation if available on line.
However, if the consultation is particularly large we would welcome the submission on a compact disc but with copies of any pertinent plans sent as hard copies to our Crewe office (please see below). If the consultation is only available as a hard copy and/or it is necessary to post a large number of bulky paper documents please email the North West Planning mailbox for advice on which Natural England office to post the documents to.
Therefore, in summary please:
use e-communications wherever possible
send information promptly
be explicit about why you are consulting on a particular application, for example what aspect of the proposals or the site does the LPA require views on
provide all necessary information to Natural England, to enable us to give a substantive reply
identify the timescale for a response ('The 21 day deadline for Development Management consultations will not start until Natural England, as the statutory consultee, has received all the information it needs to provide an informed response', ODPM Circular 08/2005 - Guidance on changes to the Development Control System refers).
Strategic Consultations
For example - Planning Policy, Local Development Framework Documents, Minerals and Waste Development Plan Documents, and associated Sustainability Appraisals/Strategic Environmental Assessments, Habitat Regulation Assessments, Local Area Agreements, Local Strategic Partners.
Development Management Consultations
For example - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultations, development management casework (including transport and minerals and waste-related casework) and other site-related consultations from Local Authorities.
All other ad hoc Planning Related Enquiries
All other planning related matters from non statutory bodies such as private consultants or the general public should be emailed to the North West Enquiries mailbox at: northwest@naturalengland.org.uk or alternatively posted to the address below. However, if there are a large number of bulky paper documents to be posted please email the North West mailbox for advice on which Natural England Office to post the documents to.
Postal Address for planning related consultations
North West Planning
Natural England
Hornbeam House
Crewe Business Park
Electra Way
CREWE
Cheshire
CW1 6GJ
