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<p>This is a devolved matter and the below relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>In
February 2018, 213 Voluntary Commitments (VCs) were sent out to landowners. 157 VCs
were returned signed, 19 returned refused to sign, and 37 are outstanding. By signing
a VC, the landowner or manager is agreeing to suspend rotational burning on blanket
bog habitat, as opposed to deep peat soils, and to work with Natural England (NE)
to develop Long Term Management Plans or equivalent remedies to modify or revoke any
consent concerning rotational burning. The VC is the first step towards the cessation
of rotational burning on blanket bog.</p><p> </p><p>To date, NE has revoked or modified
124 consents or permissions by developing Long Term Plans or equivalent remedies such
as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Revisions, HLS Extensions or voluntary surrender.
In total, NE are working to modify or revoke 402 consents or permissions to rotationally
burn on blanket bog habitat designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).</p><p>
</p><p>NE have issued 6 consents for restoration burning on the following blanket
bog Special Areas of Conservation: 2 in the South Pennines SAC and 4 in the North
Pennines SAC.</p><p> </p>
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