An independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape - Revision history

Editor at 16:29, 21 August 2025

2025-08-21T16:29:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:29, 21 August 2025
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		+	[[File:Corry report banner 1000.jpg\|link=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-economic-growth-and-nature-recovery-an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape/an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape-foreword-and-executive-summary]]
		+
	= In brief =		= In brief =

−	The Corry Review (2025) of Defra’s regulatory landscape concluded that the current system is fragmented, risk-averse, and overly focused on process rather than outcomes, limiting both economic growth and environmental recovery. It makes 29 recommendations across five themes: shifting towards outcome-driven and proportionate regulation, simplifying rules to cut “green tape,” providing consistent and trusted compliance pathways, unlocking private finance alongside public funding, and modernising regulators with digital and innovative tools. In response, Defra began implementing key reforms, such as piloting single lead regulators for major infrastructure, streamlining permits, updating guidance, launching a Nature Market Accelerator, and creating a Defra Infrastructure Board aimed at delivering more coherent, flexible, and effective regulation that supports both development and nature recovery.	+	The [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-economic-growth-and-nature-recovery-an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape/an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape-foreword-and-executive-summary Corry Review (2025) of Defra’s regulatory landscape] published in April 2025 concluded that the current system is fragmented, risk-averse, and overly focused on process rather than outcomes, limiting both economic growth and environmental recovery. It makes 29 recommendations across five themes: shifting towards outcome-driven and proportionate regulation, simplifying rules to cut “green tape,” providing consistent and trusted compliance pathways, unlocking private finance alongside public funding, and modernising regulators with digital and innovative tools. In response, Defra began implementing key reforms, such as piloting single lead regulators for major infrastructure, streamlining permits, updating guidance, launching a Nature Market Accelerator, and creating a Defra Infrastructure Board aimed at delivering more coherent, flexible, and effective regulation that supports both development and nature recovery.

	= Key elements of the review =		= Key elements of the review =
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	== Key reforms and implementation plans ==		== Key reforms and implementation plans ==

−	A core proposal was to move from patchwork, cautious enforcement toward a more strategic, flexible, and outcome-driven regulatory model. ~~Among~~ the 29 recommendations, Defra is urged to: publish clearer outcome-based objectives aligned with the national Environmental Improvement Plan; issue unified Strategic Policy Statements across agencies like the Environment Agency and Natural England (alongside establishing the Defra Infrastructure Board) to streamline major infrastructure delivery; consolidate legal duties to reduce duplication; pilot “regulatory sandboxes” to enable experimentation; and introduce lead regulators for complex projects to avoid conflicting guidance.	+	A core proposal was to move from patchwork, cautious enforcement toward a more strategic, flexible, and outcome-driven regulatory model. Amongst the 29 recommendations, Defra is urged to: publish clearer outcome-based objectives aligned with the national Environmental Improvement Plan; issue unified Strategic Policy Statements across agencies like the Environment Agency and Natural England (alongside establishing the Defra Infrastructure Board) to streamline major infrastructure delivery; consolidate legal duties to reduce duplication; pilot “regulatory sandboxes” to enable experimentation; and introduce lead regulators for complex projects to avoid conflicting guidance.

	== Early government response and acceleration of reforms ==		== Early government response and acceleration of reforms ==

Editor at 16:25, 21 August 2025

2025-08-21T16:25:06Z

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Editor at 22:39, 20 August 2025

2025-08-20T22:39:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 20 August 2025
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	* Encouraging transparent data access for citizen science and accountability		* Encouraging transparent data access for citizen science and accountability
	* Fostering integration across arms-length bodies.		* Fostering integration across arms-length bodies.
		+
		+	= Related articles on [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Designing Designing] [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Building Buildings] =
		+
		+	* Biodiversity.
		+	* Biodiversity and the built environment digital series
		+	* Biodiversity gain.
		+	* Biodiversity in the urban environment.
		+	* Biodiversity net gain (BNG) regulations and implementation; Government response.
		+	* Biodiversity offsetting.
		+	* Biophilia.
		+	* BREEAM Enhancing site ecology.
		+	* BREEAM Long term impact on biodiversity.
		+	* Ecological network.
		+	* Ecological impact assessment.
		+	* Ecology.
		+	* Ecology compensation.
		+	* Ecology connectivity.
		+	* Environmental impact assessment.
		+	* Environmental net gain.
		+	* Green infrastructure.
		+	* Green roofs.
		+	* Guidance on tree specification, BNG and more.
		+	* Nature improvement area.
		+	* Natural environment white paper.
		+	* Private finance initiative.
		+	* Risks to the long-term effectiveness of new biodiversity net gain scheme..
		+	* Sustainable development toolkit.
		+	* The future of green infrastructure.
		+	* UK environmental regulations reform 2025
		+
		+	= External links =
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environmental-reforms-to-break-planning-system-gridlock https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environmental-reforms-to-break-planning-system-gridlock]
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-economic-growth-and-nature-recovery-an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-economic-growth-and-nature-recovery-an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape]
		+
		+	[https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/projects-and-regeneration/403-projects-news/61977-government-unveils-new-infrastructure-board-and-single-environmental-regulator-pilot-to-speed-up-planning https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/projects-and-regeneration/403-projects-news/61977-government-unveils-new-infrastructure-board-and-single-environmental-regulator-pilot-to-speed-up-planning]
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-new-approach-to-ensure-regulators-and-regulation-support-growth/new-approach-to-ensure-regulators-and-regulation-support-growth-html https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-new-approach-to-ensure-regulators-and-regulation-support-growth/new-approach-to-ensure-regulators-and-regulation-support-growth-html]
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environmental-reforms-to-break-planning-system-gridlock https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environmental-reforms-to-break-planning-system-gridlock]
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-economic-growth-and-nature-recovery-an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape/an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape-foreword-and-executive-summary https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-economic-growth-and-nature-recovery-an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape/an-independent-review-of-defras-regulatory-landscape-foreword-and-executive-summary]
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-reforms-to-environmental-regulation-to-boost-growth-and-protect-nature https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-reforms-to-environmental-regulation-to-boost-growth-and-protect-nature]
		+
		+	[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/UK_environmental_regulations_reform_2025 UK environmental regulations reform 2025]

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]

Editor at 22:38, 20 August 2025

2025-08-20T22:38:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 20 August 2025
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−	~~Explicitly~~ Numbered Recommendations from the Corry Review	+	= In brief =
		+
		+	The Corry Review (2025) of Defra’s regulatory landscape concluded that the current system is fragmented, risk-averse, and overly focused on process rather than outcomes, limiting both economic growth and environmental recovery. It makes 29 recommendations across five themes: shifting towards outcome-driven and proportionate regulation, simplifying rules to cut “green tape,” providing consistent and trusted compliance pathways, unlocking private finance alongside public funding, and modernising regulators with digital and innovative tools. In response, Defra has already begun implementing key reforms, such as piloting single lead regulators for major infrastructure, streamlining permitting, updating guidance, launching a Nature Market Accelerator, and creating a Defra Infrastructure Board aimed at delivering more coherent, flexible, and effective regulation that supports both development and nature recovery.
		+
		+	= Key elements =
		+
		+	== Critical diagnosis and strategic reframing ==
		+
		+	It scrutinises whether Defra’s existing regulatory architecture, comprising numerous regulators and overlapping rules, is fit to simultaneously promote economic growth and nature recovery. It finds the current system to be overly complex, risk-averse, and micro-focused, inhibiting large-scale environmental outcomes and slowing development. The 29 recommendations are grouped under five transformational themes: focusing on outcomes at scale with proportionality, removing “green tape” for adaptive regulation, offering a consistent “thin green line” of regulatory compliance that empowers trusted partners, unlocking private green finance alongside targeted public investment, and modernising regulators through digital, real-time, and innovative approaches.
		+
		+	== Key reforms and implementation plans ==
		+
		+	A core proposal is moving from patchwork, cautious enforcement toward a more strategic, flexible, and outcome-driven regulatory model. Among the 29 recommendations, Defra is urged to: publish clearer outcome-based objectives aligned with the national Environmental Improvement Plan; issue unified Strategic Policy Statements across agencies like the Environment Agency and Natural England; establish a Defra Infrastructure Board to streamline major infrastructure delivery; consolidate legal duties to reduce duplication; pilot “regulatory sandboxes” to enable experimentation; and introduce lead regulators for complex projects to avoid conflicting guidance.
		+
		+	== Early government response and acceleration of reforms ==
		+
		+	Defra has moved quickly to implement nine of the most impactful proposals, embedded in its “Plan for Change.” These include piloting a single lead regulator for nationally significant infrastructure projects, overhauling environmental guidance (e.g., on bats), revamping permitting to enable risk-based exemptions for low-risk or temporary developments, creating a unified digital portal for planning advice, and establishing the Nature Market Accelerator to channel private green finance. A Defra Infrastructure Board is being launched, and Strategic Policy Statements are being issued to improve accountability and clarity across regulators.
		+
		+	In essence, the Corry Review reframes Defra’s regulatory challenge not as a question of reducing environmental protections, but rather of making regulation smarter—more coherent, flexible, digital, and aligned to deliver large-scale nature recovery alongside economic progress.
		+
		+	= Numbered Recommendations from the Corry Review =

	* Recommendation 1: Introduce and publish refreshed, measurable outcomes for regulators, linked to the Environmental Improvement Plan, with a clear accountability framework.		* Recommendation 1: Introduce and publish refreshed, measurable outcomes for regulators, linked to the Environmental Improvement Plan, with a clear accountability framework.
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	* Recommendation 28: Identify three high-impact AI applications that support economic growth and nature recovery, led by Defra’s “digital champion.”		* Recommendation 28: Identify three high-impact AI applications that support economic growth and nature recovery, led by Defra’s “digital champion.”
	* Recommendation 29: Fast-track cross-regulator and public data sharing to release more timely, aggregated environmental data for transparency and trust.		* Recommendation 29: Fast-track cross-regulator and public data sharing to release more timely, aggregated environmental data for transparency and trust.
		+
		+	= Recommendations not explicity numbered =

	The remaining recommendations among the 29 aren’t individually numbered or described in publicly available summaries. However, they fall within the five overarching strategic themes:		The remaining recommendations among the 29 aren’t individually numbered or described in publicly available summaries. However, they fall within the five overarching strategic themes:

Editor: moved Corry review to An independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape

2025-08-20T22:31:43Z

moved Corry review to An independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape

← Older revision

Revision as of 22:31, 20 August 2025

Editor: Created page with "Explicitly Numbered Recommendations from the Corry Review * Recommendation 1: Introduce and publish refreshed, measurable outcomes for regulators, linked to the Environmental Im..."

2025-08-20T22:29:54Z

Created page with "Explicitly Numbered Recommendations from the Corry Review * Recommendation 1: Introduce and publish refreshed, measurable outcomes for regulators, linked to the Environmental Im..."

New page

Explicitly Numbered Recommendations from the Corry Review

* Recommendation 1: Introduce and publish refreshed, measurable outcomes for regulators, linked to the Environmental Improvement Plan, with a clear accountability framework.
* Recommendation 2: Publish new Strategic Policy Statements for all regulators, mandating constrained discretion aligned with place-based dynamics.
* Recommendation 3: Establish a Defra Infrastructure Board to accelerate the delivery of significant projects via early strategic oversight and learning.
* Recommendation 5: Appoint a single lead environmental regulator for each major project, offering a clear point of contact and enabling co-designed solutions at the outset.
* Recommendation 10: Set up a programme of regulatory sandboxes to allow controlled experimentation and cultural change toward innovation in environmental regulation.
* Recommendation 11: Initiate a rolling reform programme targeting specific regulations—such as the Habitats Directive and Water Framework Directive—for simplification and rapid improvement.
* Recommendation 12: Reform Farming Rules for Water and slurry regulation to better address diffuse pollution, support nutrient circularity, and boost farming productivity.
* Recommendation 13: Review and reform the permitting system, promoting approaches like District Licensing to improve efficiency and consistency.
* Recommendation 15: Allow trusted environmental partners greater autonomy through tools such as memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
* Recommendation 16: Provide more support to ensure compliance, which includes improved access to simplified guidance and stronger penalties for repeat or deliberate non-compliance.
* Recommendation 17: Increase frequency of risk-based monitoring using digital, real-time approaches and make the information more publicly accessible.
* Recommendation 18: Deliver tougher penalties for deliberate non-compliance and persistent offenders, including giving regulators the power to issue rapid fines for minor offences.
* Recommendation 21: Launch a Government Nature Market Accelerator to improve coherence within nature markets and accelerate investment in nature restoration.
* Recommendation 23: Conduct a six-month sprint with industry to remove barriers to using nature-based solutions for flooding and pollution.
* Recommendation 27: Accelerate development of a permitting portal to increase transparency by allowing users to track application progress in real time.
* Recommendation 28: Identify three high-impact AI applications that support economic growth and nature recovery, led by Defra’s “digital champion.”
* Recommendation 29: Fast-track cross-regulator and public data sharing to release more timely, aggregated environmental data for transparency and trust.

The remaining recommendations among the 29 aren’t individually numbered or described in publicly available summaries. However, they fall within the five overarching strategic themes:

* Outcomes-focused regulation with proportionality and constrained discretion
* Untangling “green tape” to enable adaptive, process-light regulation
* Establishing a consistent "thin green line" of compliance with trusted autonomy for partners
* Mobilising private green finance while better targeting public funds for nature recovery
* Transforming regulators to be more digital, real-time, and innovative.

While the specifics of these unnumbered recommendations aren't accessible, they likely encompass proposals such as:

* Reviewing statutory duties and merging overlapping obligations
* Simplifying guidance to remove ambiguity across regulatory areas
* Devising place-based regulatory frameworks (e.g. local nature recovery strategies)
* Proportional enforcement across sectors
* Encouraging transparent data access for citizen science and accountability
* Fostering integration across arms-length bodies.

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