{"id":16223,"date":"2023-08-04T04:34:37","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T04:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=16223"},"modified":"2023-10-18T05:06:38","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T05:06:38","slug":"rotational-burning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/legal\/environment\/countryside\/rotational-burning\/","title":{"rendered":"Legislation to Ban Burning Heather on Rotation in England"},"content":{"rendered":"
New regulations ban heather burning (and specified vegetation) on areas of peatland in England (deeper than 40 centimetres) on:<\/p>\n
Note<\/strong>: Some exceptions apply to the new legislation (e.g. after being granted a licence or on land that is rocky or steep).<\/p>\n The controlled use of ‘rotational’ burning takes place during the winter months. Many land owners use the eight to twelve year rotation technique to clear broad patches of older heather.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, a consensus shows that the burning of most vegetation on blanket bog habitats actually damages peatland formation.<\/p>\n As a direct result, this kind of land management tool often creates several serious consequences and unnatural side effects, including:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The government has made the restoration of peat land, often referred to as the ‘national rainforests’ of England, a major priority.<\/p>\n Projects such as these have become even more important, since:<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: The main section explains much more about the key rules of the countryside<\/a> and rural landscapes in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, what are some of the serious outcomes of unmanaged moorland? The most damaging is the risk of wildfire – seen as an increasing one due to the effects of climate change.<\/p>\n For this reason, the government is working with land managers and owners to develop further controls to reduce the risk of local wildfires.<\/p>\n Certain circumstances are exempt from the ban on burning heather (e.g. where scree makes up at least half of the total land mass).<\/p>\n Other reasons for the Secretary of State to issue a licence that is aligned with coherent management plans, include:<\/p>\n The Environment Secretary reiterated how peatlands have a tremendous potential to be natural stores of carbon. Furthermore, they help to protect animal habitats by providing havens for rare wildlife<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Natural England sees the new heather burning legislation as a welcome announcement. Thus, the emphasis goes to protecting important peatlands around the country.<\/p>\n The essential environment that blanket bog provides should not be understated. Besides carbon storage, creating homes for diverse wildlife, it also forms structures for flood mitigation and clean drinking water.<\/p>\n For these reasons, ensuring these systems are healthy with peat-forming species, such as Sphagnum peat moss (one of 380 mosses that thrive in water-logged conditions) is vital.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n New legislation to ban burning heather on rotation in England is only one part of the nature and climate change adaptation targets. Yet, it forms an essential contributor to the 25 Year Environment Plan<\/a> – a firm commitment for bringing 75% of all SSSIs into favourable conditions.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: The statutory instrument for preventing the burning of heather and other vegetation on protected blanket bogs comes into force after being laid before Parliament for its approval.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
\nThe Importance of England’s Peatlands<\/h2>\n
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\nDeveloping Wildfire Control Plans<\/h2>\n
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\nDefra and Natural England Announcement<\/h2>\n
\n25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment<\/h2>\n
\nRelated Rule Guides<\/h4>\n