Defra consulting on plans for conservation covenants

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have launched a consultation on proposals to introduce conservation covenants in England.

A conservation covenant is a private, voluntary agreement between a landowner and a “responsible” body, such as a conservation charity, government body or a local authority. The covenant sets out obligations which will be legally binding not only on the landowner but on subsequent owners of the land.

The consultation seeks to gather information on the demand for covenants and the potential for them to secure long-term benefits from investment in nature conservation. The consultation also looks at possible negative impacts and a cost-benefit analysis.

The deadline for responses is 22 March 2019