Committee publication · Correspondence · 1 July 2026
Letter from the Under Secretary of State for Nature relating to heather and grass burning regulations, 19 June 2026
Summary
Under Secretary of State Mary Creagh responds to MP Toby Perkins's May inquiry about heather and grass burning regulations. The letter outlines the government's September 2025 amendments expanding peatland protections in England, detailing 1,861 consultation responses showing broad public support for stricter rules, lowered peat thresholds, and mandatory fire training. Legal challenges by the Moorland Association were rejected by courts.
Key findings
- Government received 1,861 consultation responses on proposed regulatory changes, mostly from the public, with broad support for expanding protections to all upland peatlands in Less Favoured Areas.
- Peat depth threshold was lowered from 40 centimetres to 30 centimetres; most respondents opposed burning due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and air/water quality concerns.
- Regulatory amendments included mandatory fire training and improved licensing processes, with backing from consultation respondents.
- Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee scrutinised the Regulations; Moorland Association's judicial review challenge was rejected by High Court on all four grounds, with Court of Appeal refusing permission to appeal.
- Government continues engagement with Fire and Rescue Services and National Fire Chiefs Council on wildfire risk mitigation and licence applications.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
environmental-protectionpeatlandsburning-regulationswildfire-managementclimate-change
Key actors
Mary Creagh CBE MP, Toby Perkins MP, National Fire Chiefs Council, Moorland Association, Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, Fire and Rescue Services
Notable line
“… the Regulations have been sufficiently reviewed, and we will make refinements to the licence application process where we identify them as necessary.”
Key Quotes
“The responses demonstrated broad support for expanding protections to all upland peatlands in Less Favoured Areas and lowering the peat depth threshold from 40 centimetres to 30 centimetres.”
“Most respondents opposed burning due to concerns about climate change, biodiversity loss, air and water quality.”
“… permission to proceed was refused on all four of their grounds of challenge, which were found to be unarguable”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗