The UK Government has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at streamlining environmental regulation to drive economic growth and safeguard nature.
Announced by Environment Secretary Steve Reed, these reforms are part of the Plan for Change and are based on a comprehensive review led by Dan Corry.
Key Measures and Initiatives
The government has identified nine key measures with the greatest impact for growth and nature recovery:
- Lead Regulator: Establishing a single lead regulator for major infrastructure projects to expedite approvals and reduce costs.
- Revamping Environmental Guidance: Reviewing and simplifying compliance guidance to eliminate duplication and inconsistency.
- Streamlined Permits and Guidance: Updating the Environmental Permitting Regulations to allow risk-based decisions and reduce red tape for low-risk projects.
- Planning Permit Portal: Creating a single digital portal for planning advice to enhance transparency and speed up applications.
- New Defra Infrastructure Board: Facilitating collaboration and oversight to accelerate major infrastructure projects.
- More Autonomy for Nature Groups: Granting trusted nature groups more freedom to carry out conservation work without multiple permissions.
- Green Finance Boost: Launching a Nature Market Accelerator to attract investment into natural habitats.
- Strategic Policy Statements for Regulators: Providing clearer guidance and measurable objectives to improve regulatory performance.
- Rolling Regulatory Reform: Establishing a continuous programme to identify and implement regulatory improvements.
The review found that the current system of environmental regulation is outdated and overly complex, hindering both nature conservation and economic growth. The proposed reforms aim to modernise the regulatory process, reduce bureaucracy, and focus on achieving outcomes at scale.
Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, commented:
“Nature and the economy have both been in decline for too long. That changes today.
“As part of the Plan for Change, I am rewiring Defra and its arms-length bodies to boost economic growth and unleash an era of building while also supporting nature to recover.
“Dan Corry’s essential report gives us a strong set of common-sense recommendations for better regulation that will get Britain building.”
The reforms will support the delivery of essential infrastructure projects, such as the Lower Thames Crossing and potential Heathrow expansion, while also promoting nature recovery. The government will engage with environmental groups, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the changes support both development and environmental goals.
This initiative marks a significant step in the UK’s efforts to balance economic growth with environmental protection, ensuring a sustainable future for both.
Image credit: iStock and UK Parliament
