Natural England

FAQs

Who are the relevant authorities and what are their roles?

Natural England is the relevant authority for land outside national parks; national park authorities are relevant authorities for land inside national parks and the Forestry Commission is the relevant authority for dedicated woodland.

The relevant authority is responsible for determining applications for a restriction or exclusion of access. It may also restrict or exclude access on its own volition for reasons of fire prevention or danger to the public. The relevant authority can, by direction, exclude or restrict access on the grounds of nature conservation or heritage preservation, and receive advice from Natural England and English Heritage about this.