Environmental permit reforms

On 8 April 2025 the UK and Welsh Governments launched an eight-week consultation on reforming environmental permitting for England and Wales to speed up the work of regulators and the industries they support, as part of the UK Labour Government’s Regulatory Action Plan. The reforms, relating to the process for exemptions, aim to empower regulators, such as the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales to:

• Take speedy action, simplifying processes such as for bringing suitable land back into beneficial use for new housing or infrastructure, strongly supporting regional growth.
• Permit exemptions for certain flood risk activities: which could make it easier to install survey equipment for monitoring river flow and water quality.
• Have greater flexibility around the use of scaffolding in or alongside rivers: supporting the UK Government’s key mission of growing the economy for communities across the country.
• Change exemptions abused by rogue waste operators: the proposals could enable regulators to clamp down on illegal activity that blights communities and causes environmental harm.
• Apply stringent safeguards: the proposals look to ensure effective controls apply where there is a high risk of environmental harm and to keep the regulatory system open and accountable.

The proposals aim to streamline environmental permitting, supporting eco-safe activities like waste management and water discharge. These actions are backed by Corporate report 'An independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape, published by Dan Corry on 2 April 2025. The UK Government Plan for Change aims to reduce red tape, speed up decisions, and enable faster responses to new technologies—benefiting businesses while maintaining strong environmental protections.

Currently a permit may be required if an activity could:

• Pollute the air, water or land.
• Increase the risk of flooding.
• Affect drainage of the land.

A permit may also be required for the operation of:

• An industrial facility, manufacturing plant, landfill site, and so on.
• A site that recycles, stores, treats and/or disposes of waste.
• A site which manages mine and/or quarry waste.
• A small waste incineration plant where waste of certain types and quantities are burned.
• Mobile plant, such as plant used to clean contaminated ground.
• Direct or indirect release of organic solvents into the air.
• Release of polluting liquids to either surface water or groundwater.

In addition, a permit will be required for activities which involve:

• Working with radioactive substances.
• Working in, under, over or near a main river.
• Working on or near a flood or coastal defence.
• Working in the flood plain of a main river.

Environmental permits protect health and the environment from risks like pollution and flooding. A 2023 review found it effective but suggested improvements for flexibility. Exempt activities don't need permits but must meet conditions. The government feels proposed reforms aim to streamline updates, enabling quicker, risk-based decisions by regulators on permit exemptions.

Environment Minister Emma Hardy said: "This Government is committed to delivering streamlined, hassle-free regulation that protects the environment while also driving economic growth. As part of the Plan for Change, we are rewiring Defra and its arms-length bodies to boost economic growth and unleash an era of building, while also supporting stringent environmental safeguards. I encourage all interested parties to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of the environmental permitting regime."

Jo Nettleton, Chief Regulator at the Environment Agency, said: "The Environment Agency firmly believes protecting the environment and sustainable development go hand-in-hand and we support the Government’s aim to get the economy growing. We welcome the proposed reforms to environmental permitting, which will empower us to carry out our role as a fair and proportionate regulator for people and the environment while supporting business and sustainable economic growth."

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