Consultation Hub

The site lists consultations that are run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. On this site you can find, share or take part in consultations. Public participation is very important to the development of our policies so please have your say.

Open Consultations

  • Biodiversity Metric 3.0 QGIS template and import tool

    We have developed a QGIS template and GIS data import tool to facilitate the bulk import of data into the Biodiversity Metric 3.0. This consultation seeks user feedback on these and the accompanying guidance. More

    Closes 31 October 2021

  • Small Sites Metric (SSM) Consultation

    This consultation relates to the beta test version of the Small Sites Metric published by Natural England in July 2021. We are seeking feedback about the Small Sites Metric from users and other interested parties that will be used to shape and inform its further development prior to its... More

    Closes 31 October 2021

  • Local Nature Recovery Strategies: how to prepare and what to include

    Executive summary Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a new, England-wide system of spatial strategies that will establish priorities and map proposals for specific actions to drive nature’s recovery and provide wider environmental benefits. The requirement for there to be... More

    Closes 2 November 2021

  • Consultation on approach to beaver reintroduction and management in England

    We are seeking your views on our proposed approach to further reintroductions of beavers in England and the management of the species in the wild. The consultation sets out our proposed approach, including in relation to future releases into the wild, current and future releases into... More

    Closes 17 November 2021

  • Consultation on WEEE Compliance Fee Methodology 2021

    The UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 establish a system in which producers of equipment are required to finance the cost of collection, treatment, recovery and recycling of WEEE arising from private households. The WEEE Regulations establish a system of annual... More

    Closes 18 November 2021

  • Open access restriction at Cheriton Wood (case number 2006040060) (2)

    South Downs National Park Authority is seeking views on proposals that will restrict public access to open access land at this site. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) gives a public right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ (mountain, moor, heath and down) or... More

    Closes 19 November 2021

  • Call for Evidence on future management of Sandeels and Norway pout

    The UK Marine Strategy and the Fisheries Act 2020 highlight the importance of taking an ecosystem-based approach to the management of fisheries and the wider marine environment. Forage fish such as sandeels and Norway pout play a key role in the health of the wider marine ecosystem,... More

    Closes 19 November 2021

  • UK Marine Strategy Part Three: Programme of Measures

    Defra, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government are seeking views on the updated programme of measures for the UK’s seas for each of the UK Marine Strategy descriptors. The UK Marine Strategy Regulations 2010 require the UK to take the necessary... More

    Closes 29 November 2021

  • A Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain

    This consultation has been launched by the governments of England, Scotland and Wales to inform Great Britain’s (GB) approach to plant biosecurity over the next five years. Your response will help inform the new GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy that will be published in 2022. More

    Closes 30 November 2021

See All Open Consultations

Closed Consultations

  • Open access restriction at Ludham and Potter Heigham Marshes NNR (case number 2016088212) 2

    The Broads Authority is seeking views on proposals that will restrict public access to open access land at this site. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) gives a public right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ (mountain, moor, heath and down) or registered... More

    Closed 18 October 2021

  • Commercial and Non-Commercial Movements of Pets into Great Britain

    We are seeking your views on the government’s proposed changes to the rules governing the commercial and non-commercial movement of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) This does not include Northern Ireland. This is a joint consultation being issued... More

    Closed 16 October 2021

  • Government's strategic priorities for Ofwat

    We are seeking your views on a new strategic policy statement (SPS) for Ofwat, which sets out the government’s strategic priorities for Ofwat’s regulation of the water sector in England. In accordance with Section 2A of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended), the... More

    Closed 15 October 2021

  • Consultation on amendments to the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

    This online survey is asking for views on a proposed restriction on the use of four phthalates in the manufacture of medical devices and monitoring and control equipment. This restriction is in the interests of public health and environmental protection. These substances have long been of... More

    Closed 12 October 2021

  • MPA compensation guidance consultation

    This consultation seeks views on the Best practice guidance for developing compensatory measures in relation to Marine Protected Areas, a future approach to strategic compensation, and how net gain and compensation can work together to deliver the best outcomes for the marine environment. ... More

    Closed 30 September 2021

See All Closed Consultations

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

Natural England consulted with owners, occupiers and interested parties on the notification of Cotswold Water Park Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on 7 January 2021 and the proposal to de-notify parts of the previously notified Cotswold Water Park SSSI that are not considered to be of special interest.

Consultations closed on 7 June 2021.

You said

Following consideration of representations and objections at its meeting on 15 September and resumed meeting of 29 September 2021, the Board of Natural England approved the confirmation of the notification of the Cotswold Water Park SSSI with modifications to the description of the special interest (area figure amendment and the addition of little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  to the citation), boundary map and Views about Management (VAM).

No representations or objections were received to the proposal dated 7 January 2021 to remove the SSSI notification (known as ‘de-notification’) from parts of the previously notified Cotswold Water Park SSSI that are not considered to be of special interest.  The proposed denotification has been confirmed without modification. The denotified land (as shown on the maps that formed part of the notification document of 7 January 2021 is no longer subject to the effects of notification as an SSSI.

We did

Natural England confirmed the enlarged Cotswold Water Park SSSI under section 28C of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and
de-notified the areas no longer of Special Scientific Interest under section 28D of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on 1 October 2021.

We asked

Natural England consulted with owners, occupiers and interested parties on the notification of Pinkworthy and Driver Farm Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on 7 January 2021.

You said

No objections have been received relating to Pinkworthy and Driver Farm SSSI notification under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. 

There have been two representations of support received to the notification, one from RSPB and one from Citizen Space.  

We did

Natural England confirmed the notification of Pinkworthy and Driver Farm SSSI on 2 July 2021 without modification.

We asked

Natural England consulted with owners, occupiers and interested parties on the notification of Reigate Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on 30 October 2020.

You said

Reigate Heath SSSI Consultation closed on 1 March 2021. No objections have been received relating to the notification of additional land under Section 28B of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There have been eight representations of support to the notification.

We did

Natural England confirmed the additional land of Reigate Heath SSSI on 27 April 2021.