Environment minister Emma Hardy announces proposed changes ‘to unleash an era of building’
“Low-risk” activities at the beginning of construction projects will no longer be subject to environmental permits before they can begin, the government has announced.
Currently, contractors must acquire environmental permits before commencing activities such as site investigation works, storage of waste materials and drainage operations. However, these pose “only minimal risk” to the environment, while holding up progress on new development, the government says.
Environment minister Emma Hardy has today announced changes to the permitting system, meaning that these activities will be exempted from the permit application process, subject to “appropriate controls”.
The government says that builders could be saved up to 16 weeks of delay in moving forward with projects as a result of the change.
Under the new system, the Environment Agency will be empowered to consider what activities should be exempt from requiring a permit.
Other low-risk temporary activities undertaken by individuals and SMEs, for instance certain flood risk activities on farms, will also no longer require a permit if certain conditions are met. The government says this could save £360, based on the average permit cost, as well as reducing delays.
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.”
Legislation to introduce these changes will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Jo Nettleton, the Environment Agency’s chief regulator, said: “Protecting the environment and sustainable development can and must go hand-in-hand. We welcome the government’s efforts to drive economic growth through a more proportionate permitting regime.
“We have engaged closely with the consultation on reforms to environmental permitting, and look forward to continuing our work as a fair and proportionate regulator for people and the environment, while supporting business and sustainable economic growth.”
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