The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty (National Trust) is an independent conservation charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, founded in 1895 to protect and care for historic sites, landscapes and coastline. It manages one of the largest heritage and land portfolios in the UK, including over 500 historic buildings and gardens, more than 250,000 hectares of countryside and around 780 miles of coastline. A membership-based organization, it balances conservation, public access and sustainable land management across its estates.
As a major landowner and custodian of sensitive environments, the National Trust engages with planning and regulatory processes affecting infrastructure, utilities and energy-related activities on or near its properties. Its role typically involves assessing environmental impacts, safeguarding heritage and biodiversity, setting access and restoration requirements, and coordinating with authorities, license holders and contractors to ensure compliance with conservation and legal standards.