Sheffield named as headquarters of new environmental body

Sheffield would be the headquarters of Natural England, a new non-departmental public body incorporating English Nature and parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service, Rural Affairs Minister Jim Knight announced today.

Mr Knight told the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill that, subject to the successful passage of the Bill, the city of Sheffield had been selected by the organisations that will comprise Natural England to house its head office.

"Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in England, and partly falls within one of our largest National Parks, which underscores the principal purpose of the proposed new body," he said.

"Sheffield also boasts excellent transport and infrastructure hubs, which will be vital for a decentralised organisation with 99% of its staff working away from the organisation's headquarters."

Mr Knight said the choice of Sheffield, a new location for all three organisations, reflected the new culture to be developed for Natural England.

"Although relatively few staff will be based at headquarters, with the vast majority deployed around the country, it is important for the new organisation to have a culture distinct from its component bodies," he said.

The Sheffield headquarters would be the permanent base of around 25 staff, and a principal hub for officers working in other national and regional offices.

Mr Knight said:

"I would anticipate that business hubs would remain in Peterborough and Cheltenham for the foreseeable future.

"The design of Natural England is far from being complete, and to ensure value to taxpayers and ensure continuity of the considerable expertise in the current bodies, I am strongly encouraging a minimal displacement of staff."