The UK government will make changes to the environmental permitting system, allowing onshore renewable energy generation projects, including solar, to bypass certain permits for faster deployment.
As part of its Plan for Change, the government has reformed the planning process to accelerate the rollout of housing and infrastructure.
This supports its commitments to deploying renewable energy and building millions of new homes. These new-build homes will also be this standard equipped with PV panels on the roof.
The changes to environmental regulations streamline the permitting process by exempting ‘low-risk activities’ from the permit requirement if they meet other safety and environmental conditions.
The Government will give the Environment Agency new powers to define these exemptions.
According to the government, activities that are ‘vital’ to the early stages of construction, such as site investigations, waste storage and drainage works (which it calls low risk) require environmental permits to be obtained, delaying the start of development.
It said that as a result of the changes, builders could wait up to 16 weeks to move forward with projects. The government added that it could save around £360 in permit fees and associated delays.
Environment Minister Emma Hardy said the new ‘common sense’ approach will boost economic growth and construction, while keeping the environment safe.
As the regulatory agency for environmental licensing, the Environment Agency will be responsible for targeting the use of these exemptions to support construction projects in England.
When the Plan for Change was in place first announced by the governmentBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised it would streamline the approval process for 150 major infrastructure projects. These include network infrastructure upgrades as well as revival projects.
The Planning and Infrastructure Act, published earlier this yearhas made several changes to the NSIP process, in an effort to speed delivery and reduce costs.
