Asked by: Chris Hinchliff (Labour - North East Hertfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the Answer of 15 December to Question 97083 on Nature Conservation: Planning, what further external engagement is planned; at what stage in the implementation process will this take place; and how will external stakeholders be consulted.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In preparing Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), Natural England is engaging with a range of stakeholders.
The government, and Natural England, will continue to work closely with local authorities, developers, environmental groups and other stakeholders to gather and assess the data needed to underpin each EDP. As required by the Planning and Infrastructure Act, all EDPs will also be subject to a 28 working day public consultation.
The Implementation Plan for the Nature Restoration Fund was published on 18 December 2025 on and can be found on gov.uk here.