Planning

Planning Related Advice Professional Services Framework

NATURAL ENGLAND

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Apr 2026 at 11:24

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Natural England, in collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has announced a planned procurement for the "Planning Related Advice Professional Services Framework". This initiative falls under the "Urban planning services" industry category and is aimed at engaging multiple suppliers across various technical Lots for an Open Framework that will run for up to eight years, starting from 1st April 2027. Situated in London, this procurement is currently in the planning stage, with the framework replacing the existing arrangement that expires in 2027. A significant investment, valued at £9.6 million gross, underscores the framework's importance in supporting the natural environment across England through a range of advisory, training, and strategic input services. Interested parties should note the publication of future notices expected by 10th August 2026.

This procurement presents a valuable opportunity for businesses in the consultancy and planning sectors, particularly those capable of providing specialist planning advice and training related to terrestrial and marine environments. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also encouraged to participate, as the framework places emphasis on addressing skills and capacity gaps within planning and licensing domains. Companies with expertise in strategic planning, environmental assessments, and infrastructure policy are ideally positioned to benefit from this framework, which seeks to not only enhance statutory obligations but also contribute to better environmental outcomes across England's landscapes and seascapes. Engaging in this framework can significantly bolster business growth and visibility in the sustainable development sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Planning Related Advice Professional Services Framework

Notice Description

Natural England is the government's statutory adviser for the natural environment in England, a statutory consultee across the terrestrial and marine planning systems, and the regulator for protected species licensing. Its purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, contributing to sustainable development. The organisation plays a central role in advising on development and infrastructure planning, delivering species licensing, shaping environmental outcomes in plans and projects, and supporting the delivery of national ambitions such as the 25 Year Environment Plan. The Authority intends to establish a new Open Framework to replace the current Natural England Planning Related Advice Professional Services (NE PRAPS) Framework (established under PCR 2015), which expires in 2027. The new framework will operate for up to an eight (8) year period, with multiple suppliers appointed across a range of technical Lots. The framework will provide access to suppliers with the capability to deliver specialist planning related advice and training across Natural England's Sustainable Development (SD) Programme. Suppliers appointed to the framework will support Natural England in meeting its statutory obligations as a consultee in land use and marine planning, infrastructure planning systems, and environmental assessments. Framework suppliers will provide expert advice on strategic plans, medium and high risk or high opportunity planning casework, and associated environmental assessments including Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Strategic Environmental Assessment / Sustainability Appraisal (SEA/SA), and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). They will also support Natural England's national planning work, including input on planning and infrastructure legislation, policy and processes, and on wider environmental reforms affecting planning and assessment regimes. The scope of services will additionally encompass advice across a wide range of environmental and technical specialisms relevant to development and infrastructure (terrestrial and marine), the provision of evidence based assessments and analysis, and the delivery of targeted planning related training to Natural England staff, local planning authorities and other decision makers. This framework will support Natural England's proactive, strategic engagement in planning and licensing, helps address short term skills and capacity gaps, and contributes to achieving better outcomes for people, places, habitats and species across England's land and seascapes.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067eee
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032346-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71410000 - Urban planning services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Aug 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL ENGLAND
Additional Buyers

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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