As part of the Regulation Action Plan, a more ‘common-sense attitude’ is being taken to environmental permits
Environmental regulation reforms include giving the Environment Agency the power to determine which activities should be exempt from permitting, and speeding up the permitting regime.
This is intended to get new homes, energy facilities, and businesses building more quickly, and boost the economy.
Environmental permits can slow down projects significantly
Until today, activities including site investigations, storing waste materials, and drainage operations, required an environmental permit before work could begin, in spite of the low chances of risk.
This often delays developments and projects from the get-go.
With these environmental regulation reforms, simple, low-risk activities such as those listed above will be exempt from requiring a permit. This could potentially save up to 16 weeks for builders and allow projects to move forward more quickly.
It also means that solar and onshore windfarms, among other projects that do not need ongoing operational permits, will also be able to go ahead without environmental permits, under the right conditions.
Environment minister, Emma Hardy, said: “We are committed to ensuring that environmental regulation works for everyone – protecting our towns and countryside from harm and delivering sustainable development.
“As part of the Plan for Change, a common-sense approach to environmental permitting in England will boost economic growth and unleash an era of building, while also keeping people and the environment safe.”
Government reforms allowing some projects to progress
Planning reforms made by the government earlier this year have allowed the major infrastructure project at Falmouth Docks to go ahead, bypassing previous environmental concerns.
This project will see an expansion to the docks and building of clean energy infrastructure, totalling £150m.
Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Emma Reynolds, said: “Communities across the country have been let down by a bureaucratic planning system that chokes enterprise, does little for nature and leaves hardworking people waiting for the jobs and investment they deserve.
“Having one clear regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like Falmouth Docks to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment. This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature. Through our Plan for Change, this government is fast-tracking the infrastructure Britain needs to secure national renewal.”
APCL A&P Falmouth managing director, Mike Spicer, said: “APCL A&P Falmouth is a centre of excellence for the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, offshore vessels, cruise ships and ferries. The facility is also a busy working port, handling over 100,000 tonnes of product annually and welcoming 56 cruise calls this year.
“APCL welcomes today’s news that the Marine Management Organisation will act as a single point of contact for planning applications.
“The acceleration of planning process for development applications like ours will enable us to significantly enhance the services we can offer to our defence, offshore and cruise customers and help fulfil Cornwall’s ambitious floating offshore wind agenda.”
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