---
title: "Planning Framework - Advice, training, and specialist planning input"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-067eee"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067eee"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067eee.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067eee.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND"
published: "2026-05-20"
---

# Planning Framework - Advice, training, and specialist planning input

Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-067eee

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## Summary

Natural England, based in London, is currently in the planning stage of re-procuring a comprehensive multi-supplier framework aimed at delivering planning-related advice and specialist input for its Sustainable Development Programme. This planning framework encompasses urban planning, environmental and training services, with a projected value of £10.8 million. The key procurement process is an open procedure scheduled to commence on 1 April 2027 and conclude by 31 March 2035. Prospective suppliers can engage in pre-market consultations until 15 June 2026 by requesting an engagement pack from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) contact point, Virginia Rincon.

This tender provides a significant opportunity for businesses offering specialist planning support, environmental assessments, and strategic consultancy services, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with experience in terrestrial and marine planning systems. As Natural England strengthens its engagement in planning and licensing, the framework aims to fill skills gaps, enhance environmental outcomes, and support policy development. Suppliers contributing to these areas can leverage this framework to gain long-term procurement contracts with a central government agency, bolstering business growth and securing a steady pipeline of work over the upcoming years.

## Notice

Natural England requires ongoing specialist planning support to assist delivery of its Sustainable Development Programme. This includes the provision of statutory and non-statutory planning advice on complex casework (including HRA, SEA/SA and EIA), support for national policy and legislative development across terrestrial and marine planning, and the delivery of training to address identified skills and capacity gaps. To maintain continuity beyond the expiry of the current Planning Related Advice - Professional Services (PRAPS) Framework, which ends on 31 March 2027, Natural England intends to re-procure a multi-supplier framework of similar scope. This will enable the continued delivery of statutory duties, sustain casework performance, strengthen strategic engagement in the planning system, and support improved environmental outcomes.

### Planning Information

We are seeking supplier feedback, insights and expressions of interest to inform the development and final design of the proposed Framework.
Suppliers wishing to participate in this pre‑market engagement are invited to request a copy of the Pre‑Market Engagement Pack by contacting Virginia Rincon. The pack contains background information and a supplier questionnaire for completion.
The deadline for submission of completed questionnaires is Monday 15 June 2026.
Responses, together with any queries strictly relating to this pre‑market engagement, must be submitted to: virginia.rincon@defra.gov.uk.
Please note: Participation in this engagement is voluntary and non‑binding, and will not form part of any future procurement evaluation process.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046513-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 10 Aug 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2035 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £9,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planned |
| Lots status | Planned |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATURAL ENGLAND |
| Additional buyers | DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 4DF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 80 - Education and training services
- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

### Codes

- 71410000 - Urban planning services
- 80500000 - Training services
- 90700000 - Environmental services
- 90711000 - Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
- 90712000 - Environmental planning

## Release History

- 20 May 2026 at 14:14 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046513-2026
- 9 Apr 2026 at 11:24 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032346-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046513-2026
  20th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032346-2026
  9th April 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067eee. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067eee.json.