Changing uncultivated, semi-natural and rural land: when you need permission

Updated guidance in 'Check if you need a screening decision' for clarity: If you need a screening decision, you must apply and get approval to begin the work before you make any changes.

‘Check if you need a screening decision’ - edited when you need permission to alter a boundary over a certain length to include installing a boundary within a land parcel. Examples include to exclude stock from a particular area or to protect habitat. 'Apply for a screening decision’ - added further guidance to support applicants to assess the biodiversity of a project site. Added guidance about when to commission a biodiversity survey and the timing and appropriateness of the survey for the species at hand.

Added new section 'When you need a screening decision for biodiversity net gain (BNG)'. If you want to improve natural habitats on uncultivated or semi-natural land which will then be registered or sold for BNG, you may first need to get a screening decision. You must apply for a screening decision separately to BNG registration. BNG registration is not an alternative to a screening decision.

Updated 'Apply for a screening decision' to highlight that applicants must read everything within the guidance before starting an application. Emphasised that applicants must apply for and provide copies of all necessary consultation responses with application and that Natural England will put an application on hold if these are provided. Added new guidance about what to do if a consultation response has been refused.

This guidance has been restructured and simplified to help you understand when and how to get permission to make changes to land.

First published.