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25 June 2005 - New Environmental Body to
Have HQ in Sheffield
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A new non-departmental public body incorporating English Nature
and parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service -
Natural England, will have its headquarters in Sheffield.
The current headquarters of English Nature are in Peterborough,
while the Countryside Agency's headquarters are in Cheltenham.
Rural Affairs Minister Jim Knight recently announced the
decision and told the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Natural
Environment and Rural Communities Bill that, subject to the successful passage
of the Bill, Sheffield had been selected by the organisations that will comprise
Natural England to house its head office.
Mr Knight also commented:
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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."
No specific buildings or costs have been given, however these will be determined
closer to the vesting date of Natural England.
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