The table below lists the most important UK departments and agencies that can act as statutory and non-statutory consultees in deciding a planning application:
| Consultee | Duties | Statutory? |
| Natural England |
An executive, non-departmental public body responsible for advising the government on the natural environment. Natural England is a statutory consultee for development proposals affecting all Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (including those SSSI’s that are ancient woodland and/ or contain veteran trees). Responsible for:
Discretionary Advice Service:
|
YES |
|
Highways England (AKA Highways Agency) |
Highways England is a government owned company that works with the Department for Transport to operate, maintain and improve England’s motorways and major A roads. It also manages and helps prevent incidents on England’s motorways through its uniformed Traffic Officer service. |
YES |
| Land Trust | A charity that is committed to the long term sustainable management of open space for community benefit. Takes on responsibility (and often liability) for the management of an area of land, ensuring that the site has a sustainable future as green open space and crucially that it delivers against its charitable objectives. |
NO |
| Historic England | An executive, non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Its powers and responsibilities are principally set out in the National Heritage Act 1983. It reports to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. |
YES |
| English Heritage | English Heritage is the government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment. Its role is to help people understand, value, care for and enjoy England’s rich historic environment. Created by the National Heritage Act 1983, the following functions were conferred on English Heritage at that time to secure the preservation of ancient monuments and historic buildings, including maritime heritage; to promote the preservation and enhancement of the character and appearance of conservation areas; and to promote the public’s enjoyment of and advance their knowledge of, ancient monuments and buildings. |
NO |
|
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
||
| English Nature |
YES |
|
|
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) |
NO |
|
| Sport England | Provision of sports facilities and equipment in public projects and areas |
YES |
| Forestry Commission | For developments in or within 500m of an ancient woodland |
YES |
| Environment Agency |
An executive non-departmentalpublic body, sponsored by DEFRA, dealing with:
|
YES |
| National Grid | Gas pipes layout and relative easements | |
| National Park Authority | For land within a national park boundary – becomes the LPA in applications within National Parks |
YES |
| Local Planning Authority | Implements the Local Development Plans (LDPs) and enforces the directions of the NPPF within its own framework |
YES |
| Parish Council |
YES |
|
| Rail Infrastructure Managers |
YES |
|
| Rail Network Operators |
YES |
|
|
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) |
YES |
|
|
Ministry of Defence (MoD) |
YES |
|
| The Department for Culture, Media and Sport |
YES |
|
| Garden History Society |
YES |
|
| Adjoining landowners |
YES |
|
| Canal and River Trust |
YES |
|
| Coal Authority |
YES |
|
| County Planning Authorities |
YES |
|
| Crown Estates Commissioners |
YES |
|
| Department of Energy and Climate Change |
YES |
|
| Designated Neighbourhood Forum |
YES |
|
| Health and Safety Executive |
YES |
|
| Theatres Trust |
YES |
|
| Toll Road Concessionaries |
YES |
|
| Water and sewerage undertakers |
YES |
|
| Greater London Authority |
YES |
|
|
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) |
NO |
