Flood risk management lacks focus

The government has accepted that surface water flooding responsibilities are confused and overlap. But when will action be taken?

White paper’s unintended consequences

Could the planning white paper re-balance economic development away from the north and produce a centralised, top-down system that pleases nobody? Will Hatchett reports

Promoting nature in built environment is ‘win, win, win’

Cooler, flood resilient houses, greater biodiversity and reduced crime. What’s not to like?

Gatwick preparing DCO for second runway

Campaigners sceptical of claims that bringing an additional runway into use will not have an environmental impact

Permit challenge over Rivenhall incinerator

Stack height and best available technology are at centre of a legal claim concerning an Essex energy from waste plant

Legal challenge to planning changes moves closer

A new charity hopes to prove in court that the introduction of key aspects of the government’s planning reforms was illegal

Pandemic fails to halt growth of LUC

The environmental planning consultancy is recruiting again in spite of COVID-19, with the digital side of business performing particularly strongly of late, according to MD Jon Grantham

LUC to help Cornwall achieve carbon neutrality

Landscape design and planning consultancy LUC has won a contract to produce a new Renewable Energy Landscape Sensitivity Assessment for Cornwall.

Jenrick outlines radical planning reform

Environment Analyst assesses Robert Jenrick’s zonal planning proposals and provides the industry reaction, including how it might affect EIA

Large-scale electricity storage removed from NSIP regime

Delisting of ‘super batteries’ from NSIP regime designed to make it easier for developers to gain consent, might make it harder

English NO2 exceedances fell in 2018, says FotE

Independent data audit concludes NO2 emission breaches are on the decline, but remain too high

Green light for Cleve Hill solar giant

Swale Borough Council fails in legal challenge against Cleve Hill solar park, EIA from Arcus helps secure consent

Environment industry defends EIA, following Eustice criticism

Campaigners fear changes to EIA trailed for the autumn may drastically weaken environmental protection

Homes England design guide pushes active travel

‘Active travel’ and public transport feature heavily in Homes England’s latest design guidance for new developments

AECOM’s launches digital EIA for Sizewell C

Sizewell C’s 40,000 page environmental statement goes digital. Is this the new normal for large infrastructure projects?

AECOM approaching Net Zero Teesside DCO application

56,000-strong firm leading public consultation ahead of DCO submission early next year

Pressure groups fire warning over planning reforms

They warn warn that the proposed reforms will allow developers to ride roughshod over communities.

Infrastructure key to net zero delivery for UK

Energy, transport and utilities dominate UK carbon emissions. Re-skilling and strategic planning and investment for low carbon are needed urgently

Sunak focuses on housing to restore ‘feel good factor’

Lower stamp duty and new ‘green deal’ from the chancellor’s COVID-rescue package boosts construction confidence

Government unveils £5.2bn flood defence targets

Government’s flood risk management policy statement outlines where and how £5.2bn will be spent over the next six years

Air quality improves as commuters stay home

Pandemic prompts dramatic fall in vehicle emissions, paradoxically yielding health benefits

Secretary of state to rule on Esso’s fuel pipeline

Bats, nesting sites and ancient trees or more road tankers? It’s a tough call for Robert Jenrick

Culture change needed to ‘build back better’

Expert warns attendees at Environment Analyst’s 2020 Business Summit that the UK’s environmental protection systems have been ‘hollowed out’

Spending on roads, schools and fusion to fuel recovery

The Lower Thames Crossing, the Curzon Street HS2 station and the National Fusion Technology Platform top a new list of capital projects

Welsh government calls time on coal mining

One of the last open-cast coal mines in South Wales has been closed on environmental grounds. Decisions are still awaited on Woodhouse Colliery and Druridge Bay

PM launches ‘build, build, build’ and ‘project speed’

The planning reforms announced last week are likely to be the prelude to a further deregulation of the planning system in July

Court of Session finds for Gladman in ‘tilted balance’ case

A landmark ruling in Scotland has underlined that the ‘tilted balance’ in favour or development applies in Scotland as it does in England.

ISO publishes environmental report assurance standard

‘Offshore wind boom‘ predicted for Highlands and Islands

Scottish plans could make a significant contribution to the UK’s target of supplying up to a third of UK energy from offshore wind by 2030

Contractor pulls out of Aberdeen Harbour expansion

The suspension of work to deepen and extend Aberdeen harbour is the latest blow to a region hit by the collapse in oil prices