Application for burning railway land contrary to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2007

This form must be used to apply for a licence to burn railway land outside the burning season (1st October – 15th April in the uplands, 1st November – 31st March elsewhere).

We will only issue licences in exceptional circumstances where we are of the opinion that burning is necessary and expedient for (i) good maintenance of the land or (ii) for the purpose of pest control.

Applications must be received by Natural England at least 28 days before you wish to burn and not more than 56 days before you wish to burn. You must await receipt of a licence before burning.

If a licence is issued by Natural England it is still illegal to burn heather, grass, gorse, bracken and vaccinium on any land;

(i)  between sunset and sunrise,

(ii)  without sufficient persons and equipment, and

(iii)  without precautions to prevent injury or damage to any adjacent land, or to any person or thing on that land.

1. Specify the land you wish to burn, and attach a map to this application form

Location:

OS Grid Ref:

Total Hectarage:

2. Is any of the land to be burnt:

(i) within a National Park?

(ii) within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?

(iii) within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

(iv) within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

(v) within a Special Protection Area (SPA)

(vi) subject to an agri-environment agreement?

(vii) near a Scheduled Monument

If yes to any of these please attach further information

3. Specify the soil type and vegetation to be burnt

Soil type(s): Peat Mineral

Vegetation type(s):

Upland heather moorland Upland grass moorland

Lowland heathland Lowland grassland

Bog or mire Gorse

Bracken Other (specify below)

4. Specify the dates you wish to burn (dd/mm/yy)

First day of burning: Last day of burning:

5. Specify the purpose of the burn and justify why it is necessary and expedient for good maintenance of the land or for the purpose of pest control

6. Please explain briefly how the burn is to be conducted, or attach a method specification

7. Declaration

I make this application in the manner required by the Heather & Grass Burning Regulations 2007. I agree to burn in accordance with the terms of any licence granted under these Regulations, and in accordance with the Heather & Grass Burning Code 2007 (save where such a licence expressly permits departure from it).

Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Position within Network Rail / Transport for London (delete as applicable)

Signature: Date:

This form should now be sent to Environmental Impact Assessment Unit, Natural England, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH.

For Natural England Use Only: Reference number: HAGB1 / --- /