Natural England sets out their five year Strategic Direction

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Natural England have released their Strategic Direction for 2025-2030: Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security. This sets out their priorities for the next five years, aiming to ensure nature recovery is an integral part of the Government’s growth agenda.

The main priorities that Natural England aim to focus on are:

  • Drive Nature recovery at a greater scale and faster pace than before by supporting large scale projects and making it easier for landowners to get permissions for Nature positive change.
  • Tackle the root causes of Nature’s decline working with Defra partners to ensure cleaner air, clean and plentiful water, healthier soils and rich, productive seas.
  • Partner with planners and developers on “high nature; low carbon” houses, energy and transport infrastructure and introduce strategic solutions so development can also protect and restore Nature.
  • Support food security and sustainable farming, forestry and fishing through targeted advice and the right mix of public and private finance.
  • Shape better places for people to work and live by providing clear evidence and advice to our partners, using spatial plans for Nature as a framework for investment and joined up action.
  • Connect communities with Nature and create Nature close to people’s homes, ensuring everyone gains from the health benefits Nature can bring.

Alongside these priorities Natural England is planning a step change in how they operate, outlining their role as:

  • Setting evidence-based standards, strategies and advice to empower others to recover Nature.
  • Building partnerships across society to drive action for more people to benefit from Nature.
  • Focusing on places where we can have the biggest impact and manage the biggest risks.
  • Outcome-focused regulation and enforcement that supports growth and empowers people to make the right choices.
  • A dynamic approach to Nature protection, delivered in collaboration with other environmental regulators.
  • Harnessing data and digital to provide a better service to our customers and work more efficiently.
  • Using science, evidence, and analysis to empower action for Nature and support innovation.

Natural England will now engage with partners, customers and organisations to determine the final shape for this strategy, which is due to be released in the autumn.