CLA welcomes review of environmental regulation
A new review, commissioned by Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed and led by economist Dan
Corry, has found the current system of environmental regulation is outdated, inconsistent and
highly complex.
The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has welcomed a review of environmental
regulation that reflects several of the CLA’s recommendations. The review concludes that a ‘bonfire’
of regulations is not the solution, but it makes 29 recommendations for streamlining regulation,
which the government says it is “actively considering”. Nine measures with the greatest impact for
growth and nature recovery will be fast-tracked.
The government says work has already begun on:
Lead regulator: A single, lead regulator for major infrastructure projects to aid developers seeking
planning approvals from multiple authorities.
·Revamping environmental guidance: Rapidly reviewing the existing catalogue of compliance
guidance, including on protecting bats, will identify opportunities to remove duplication, ambiguity,
or inconsistency.
Planning permit portal: Defra will convene the environmental regulators to set out the work
required to upgrade their digital systems for planning advice, including a single planning portal for all
agencies.
New Defra Infrastructure Board: This will accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects by
facilitating greater collaboration and stronger oversight within Defra and its arms-length bodies.
Green finance boost: A new industry-funded Nature Market Accelerator will bring coherence to
nature markets.
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said: “The current
system of environmental regulation is overly complex and hard to navigate, and needs to be
streamlined to protect nature while allowing development to take place.
“While Dan Corry’s review does not recommend a ‘bonfire’ of regulations, it does seek to
modernise the system and help drive growth, which is welcome. The report reflects many of the
CLA’s recommendations such as action to unlock private sector funding, improving regulatory
processes and guidance, and simplifying planning for nature-based solutions, but there is a lot of
work to do in Defra before they are realised.
“Having a lead regulator for major infrastructure projects and establishing an Infrastructure
Board might speed up approvals and unblock barriers to development at an early stage, but the
system must work with affected farmers and landowners. Our members can help deliver housing
and infrastructure projects while supporting nature recovery, but they must be part of the process.”
