Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

Of course, Natural England’s opinion would be of great importance, but there are legal procedures for planning applications. Presumably, the inspector who heard the application would have to make a judgment on where Natural England’s evidence or views fitted in. As I understand it—I am certainly no expert on planning law—the Minister, in a very substantial case, would have to make up his or her mind on which course to take. Through that process, Natural England would play an important role.