Countryside

All Standard Notes
17 Documents
DateDescription
15.03.2013Marine Conservation Zones
This note describes the designation of Marine Conservation Zones in England, which were introduced under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The Government has proposed to designate 31 MCZ in 2013; additional MCZ may be designated in following years. A public consultation on the proposals closes on 31 March 2013.
14.03.2013Flood defence spending in England
Average flood damage costs are currently £1.1 billion per year. Maintaining existing levels of flood defence would require spending on flood defences to increase to over £1 billion per year by 2035. National flood defence spending will reduce slightly from current levels over the next four years. While the overall number of properties at risk of flooding may not rise in the short term, there could be a significant increase in the longer term if current spending levels do not increase.
12.12.2012Export of Live Animals within the European Union
This notes summarises the rules governing the export of live animals within EU countries.
14.11.2012British Summer Time and the Daylight Saving Bill 2010-11
This Standard Note provides an overview of the pros and cons of British Summer Time and the altering of clocks, as well as details of attempts to change clock times in the UK. It discusses the current Daylight Savings Bill 2010-11.
08.11.2012The Forestry Commission and the sale of public forests in England
This note sets out information on the sale of public forests managed by the Forestry Commission
24.10.2012Badger Culling: Policy to 2008
This note covers the badger culling trials carried out by the previous Government and policy to 2008.
23.10.2012Badger Culling
This note summarises the proposals for allowing farmers in England to cull badgers and the Governments decison to go ahead with a cull, starting with two pilot areas in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset. The cull has now been postponed until 2013.
26.04.2012Farm Diversification, Countryside and Planning
This note covers planning issues related to the countryside, including farm diversification
02.02.2012Railways: rural and community lines
This note looks at the development of community rail under successive governments. It explains the purposes of rural rail, how it is structured, and proposals for its development.
07.09.2011Septic tanks: new regulations
From January 2012 all septic tanks have to be registered or permited to protect groundwater supplies. A review has been launched to determine whether this approach is the most appropriate.
13.07.2011Energy from waste and incineration
This note looks at the role of energy from waste and incineration.
06.07.2011Establishing a right of way
A common issue raised by constituents concerns the options available for formalising a right of way. This note highlights a variety of relevant legal provisions and procedures and provides a summary timeline of the key legislative acts which have shaped the classifications of rights of way since 1949. The options available depend on how the path came to be of use in the first place and if it has any official classification on the Definitive Map for the area. The Definitive Map records all recognised rights of way.
26.04.2011British Waterways
This note gives the present and previous governments' policies towards British Waterways; information on Defra's 2004-05 policy review of BW in which concluded that it was largely doing a good job; and summarises the pressing issues of recent years - the funding of BW, the effect of cuts to its budget, and its future institutional status.
05.08.2010Fly tipping--the illegal dumping of waste
There are large environmental, social and financial impacts associated with fly tipping and the illegal dumping of waste. Local authorities, the Environment Agency and landowners spend more than £100 million every year tackling the consequences of fly tipping. This note gives a general overview of the extent of the problem of fly-tipping and the powers and responsibilities of the Environment Agency, local authorities and landowners to deal with it.
08.03.2010Transport: rural areas
This note explains the Government's approach to rural transport.
05.08.2009Biochar and climate change
This note briefly introduces biochar as a measure to tackle climate change.
23.10.2008Registration of Town and Village Greens
This note describes how town or village greens may be registered.
All Research Papers
11 Documents
DateDescription
13.12.2012Growth and Infrastructure Bill: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. It complements Research Paper 12/61 prepared for Commons Second Reading
01.11.2012Growth and Infrastructure Bill
The Growth and Infrastructure Bill seeks to reduce delays in the planning system and to facilitate new development, through various means. It would allow planning obligations (section 106 agreements) relating to affordable housing to be renegotiated. To promote economic growth, it makes provision for a planned revaluation of business rates in England to be postponed and to create a new employment status of employee owner. Its second reading date has been moved from 30 October to 5 November 2012.
11.01.2012Daylight Saving Bill: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Daylight Saving Bill.
19.07.2009Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]: Committee Stage Report. Bill 137 2008-09.
The Bill would set up a new Marine Management Organisation (MMO); streamline marine licensing; introduce marine planning; reform fisheries management; provide for Marine Conservation Zones; and enable the creation of a route around the English coast.
16.06.2009Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]
The Bill covers a broad range of marine issues and would: (1) set up a new Marine Management Organisation (MMO) under which many of the existing, diverse areas of marine regulation would be centralised; (2) streamline the existing marine licensing system and provide powers to create a joined up marine planning policy; (3) introduce new measures to reform fisheries management; (4) provide a framework for establishing marine conservation zones; and, (5) enable the creation of a route around the English coast.
10.04.2006Commons Bill [HL] Bill 115 of 2005-6
02.06.2005Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill (Bill 3 2005-06)
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill (Bill 3 2005-06). House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/39
04.01.2005Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill (Bill 11 of 2004/05)
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill (Bill 11 of 2004/05). House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/01.
17.03.2000Countryside and Rights of Way Bill (Bill 78 of 1999/2000)
Countryside and Rights of Way Bill (Bill 78 of 1999/2000). House of Commons Library Research Paper 00/31.
16.03.2000Countryside and Rights of Way Bill (Bill 78 of 1999/2000)
Countryside and Rights of Way Bill (Bill 78 of 1999/2000). House of Commons Library Research Paper 00/30.
02.03.1999Right to Roam Bill (Bill 16 of 1998/99)
Right to Roam Bill (Bill 16 of 1998/99). House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/23.