Documents leaked to environment charity Greenpeace suggest the government’s natural environment watchdog Natural England could be reining in its regulatory powers and seeking private sector cash from the companies it is charged with regulating, the Green group said on Tuesday.

Greenpeace said a source at Natural England had contacted the charity on condition of anonymity with concerns that NE is becoming more reluctant to regulate, especially given that the majority of Britain’s environmental legislation is set to be rewritten  in the near future as a result of the Brexit vote, and NE can be expected to have a prominent role in the process.

An internal paper from June shown to Greenpeace suggests Natural England is looking for £12 million in extra funding from the private sector by 2020, including from business it regulates, in order to offset the impacts of hefty budget cuts.

A spokesperson for Natural England denied claims that the watchdog could be losing its teeth, stating that NE is improving the way it engages with communities and stakeholders, and assuring “There has been absolutely no change in Natural England’s statutory role or driving mission to protect and enhance the country’s nature, habitats and landscapes.”

However, the staff member who leaked information to Greenpeace said the quango risks pulling regulatory punches in favour of compromises, which they described as “worrying” from a conservationist perspective, and said that “Staff resource will be increasingly focused on work where there is a financial incentive rather than a conservation concern” such as consulting for private companies.

The whistle-blower said consultation work is based on the priorities of developers, rather than the wildlife or habitats NE is charged with protecting.

Spokespeople for Wildlife Trusts and RSPB have also expressed concern over the lack of action from NE on apparent infringements by shooting estates and in the face of planning decision that would threaten the habitats of vulnerable species.

Reacting to Greenpeace’s reports, Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said, “The Government should be strengthening Natural England – not stripping it of one third of its funding and forcing it to impose compromising charges on the very corporations it is supposed to be regulating."

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