Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

The government's Natural Environment Bill will establish a new body to act as a rural advocate, expert adviser and independent watchdog. 

The new body, the Commission for Rural Communities, has been designed to ensure the government’s policies make a real and tangible difference to people in rural areas, especially in tackling social and economic exclusion and disadvantage.

The Bill will also establish a new integrated agency, Natural England, encompassing the landscape, access and recreation division of the Countryside Agency with English Nature and the Rural Development Service (RDS).

Natural England will be set up to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced or managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thus contributing to sustainable development. The newly formed Commission will promote nature conservation and biodiversity and improve access to the countryside and open spaces through encouraging open-air recreation.

The Bill also brings in key elements of the government’s rural strategy, published in July 2004.

 

House of Commons

First reading: May 19 2005 (HC Bill 3)

Second reading: June 6 2005

Standing Committee A:

• 1st sitting: June 21 2005 (am)
• 2nd sitting: June 21 2005 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: June 23 2005 (am)
• 4th sitting: June 23 2005 (pm)
• 5th sitting: June 28 2005 (am)
• 6th sitting: June 28 2005 (pm)
• 7th sitting: June 30 2005 (am)
• 8th sitting: June 30 2005 (pm)
• 9th sitting: July 5 2005 (am)
• The Bill as amended (HC Bill 38)

Remaining stages: October 11 2005

House of Lords

First reading: October 12 2005 (HL Bill 23)

Second reading: November 7 2005

Committee:

• 1st day: January 24 2006
• 2nd day: January 30 2006
• 3rd day: February 1 2006
• 4th day: February 8 2006
• 5th day: February 27 2006
• 6th day: February 28 2006

Report:

• 1st day: March 15 2006
• 2nd day: March 20 2006

Third reading: March 27 2006

House of Commons

Consideration of Lords amendments

• March 29 2006

Royal Assent: March 30 2006