Planning Related Advice Professional Services Framework
Framework Description
Natural England is preparing a new open framework for Planning Related Advice Professional Services, replacing its current PRAPS framework, which expires in 2027. Defra Group Commercial is running the procurement, reported at an estimated £9.6 million including VAT. Several suppliers will be appointed across technical lots, with an estimated term from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031 and a possible extension to 31 March 2035.
Context & Use Case
As a statutory consultee in land use, marine and infrastructure planning, Natural England advises on strategic plans, medium and high-risk or high-opportunity casework and environmental assessments. Suppliers will add specialist capacity across its Sustainable Development Programme, including input on planning and infrastructure legislation, policy and process, and deliver training. As an open framework, it can take on new suppliers when it reopens.
Scope of Services
Planning related advice and strategic plan support Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal (SEA/SA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) support Medium and high-risk planning casework advice Advice on planning and infrastructure legislation and policy Training
Lots
Yes: Multiple technical lots covering planning advice, HRA, SEA/SA, EIA, and related environmental assessments
Who Can Apply
Environmental and planning consultancies with HRA, SEA/SA or EIA specialists and experience of statutory consultation work, on land or at sea. Multiple lots allow specialists to bid for one discipline and larger firms to bid across several. The tender notice was expected around 10 August 2026, so check whether the competition is now open.
Buyer Benefits
Natural England's casework volume rises and falls with planning activity, so it needs specialist capacity it can call on without running a new procurement each time. An eight-year open framework gives continuity, access to several suppliers per discipline for resilience, and the ability to bring in new suppliers when it re-opens.
Next Steps
Look for Defra Group Commercial's tender notice for the Natural England framework, which was expected around 10 August 2026, and check its deadlines. Decide which lots match your specialists, gather recent HRA, SEA/SA and EIA case studies, and confirm the staff you will name. The new framework is due to start on 1 April 2027.
How Athena Can Help
Athena can help you prepare a strong bid for the Natural England framework. Our bid planning support covers lot choice and a realistic bid/no-bid view based on your specialists and capacity, while our bid writers turn your HRA, SEA/SA and EIA work into scored answers with clear win themes, strong case studies and named experts.
If you miss the first window, our open framework applications service can prepare you for a later reopening, with a compliance check before you submit.
