The Environment Agency has opened a consultation on proposals to introduce a new standard rules environmental permit (SR2026 No. 1) for mobile medium combustion plant (MCP) that are boilers in England. The proposals form part of the implementation of the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD), which aims to reduce emissions of air pollutants including nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and dust. The consultation seeks views on a new standard rules permit for mobile boilers, a generic risk assessment, how mobile boilers will be regulated and deployed, how deployments will be assessed and managed, and proposed application and annual charges. The Environment Agency states that the aim is to provide a clear, consistent and proportionate regulatory approach that protects the environment while enabling industry to operate efficiently. The consultation closes on 30 August 2026.

The Environment Agency has increased its water enforcement workforce from 41 roles in 2023 to 195 by March 2026, supported by a record £153m budget for 2025/26, as part of strengthened powers under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. Announced on 11 February 2026, the expansion enables cost recovery from water companies, introduces prison sanctions for obstruction and precedes further civil penalties, statutory Pollution Incident Reduction Plans and enhanced sewage overflow monitoring.

Introduction Planning applications have to be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. From a date to be appointed, in England, planning applications are to be determined in accordance with the development plan and any national development management policies, taken together, unless material considerations strongly indicate otherwise. See Practice Notes: Determining planning applications—priority of the development plan and Determining planning applications—material considerations. Environmental considerations can be material considerations in determining planning applications, and they are also relevant to the preparation of development plans. In England, the Environment Agency (EA) has powers to engage in the planning application process as a statutory consultee in respect of certain types of development in England, providing information and advice where decisions of local planning authorities (LPAs) are conducive to the EA’s functions. The EA provides advice in relation to proposed development in England and other issues related to its responsibilities, including: • flooding • waste • land contamination • pollution • water quality • foul drainage • biodiversity • navigation, and • environmental

The Environment Agency has published two guidance documents for non-nuclear radioactive substances activity permit holders in England. The first covers decommissioning planning and the second addresses developing and maintaining a radioactive waste management plan (WMP). Both exclude nuclear licensed sites, require a graded approach proportionate to scale, complexity and hazard and mandate demonstration of best available techniques and as low as reasonably achievable compliance. Both plans must be reviewed at least every five years, with records retained until permit surrender. The Environment Agency may inspect or require submission of either document. The decommissioning guidance states that permit holders must adopt a lifetime planning approach from the point a permit is granted. Facilities are categorised as simple, intermediate or complex. Simple facilities, involving short-lived radionuclides and low radiological risk, require only basic plans. Intermediate and complex facilities may involve higher activity wastes or specialist decontamination methods and require more detailed plans that are refined over time. The waste management guidance states that permit holders must produce and maintain a WMP demonstrating a complete understanding of their radioactive wastes and that disposal routes are optimised. The WMP must cover all waste arisings across the operational lifecycle, including decommissioning wastes, and identify disposal routes such as off-site transfer, environmental discharge or decay storage.

The Environment Agency has launched a consultation on significant water management issues affecting England's waters. The consultation forms part of the mandatory six yearly review of river basin management plans, with current plans published in October 2022. Responses will inform updates to the plans and help shape water environment management approaches in response to climate change. The consultation includes strategic environmental assessment scoping reports for each river basin district. The consultation ends on 20 May 2026.

The Environment Agency has published guidance confirming that a voluntary monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV)-only period for energy from waste (EfW) and waste incineration facilities has begun in England from 1 January 2026, ahead of the planned expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to these installations. The guidance explains which facilities are in scope, how operators can participate and how the voluntary period is intended to help operators prepare for future UK ETS compliance when EfW and waste incineration are formally brought into the scheme.

The Environment Agency (EA) has announced that it is investigating hauliers in Devon and Cornwall regarding their waste soil handling practices. The investigation focuses on compliance with U1 exemption regulations, which permit limited use of clean waste materials in construction. The EA reports that illegal waste activities cost legitimate businesses and taxpayers £1bn annually, with data indicating 34m tonnes of waste may be handled illegally. Hauliers will be required to provide detailed information about disposal routes, waste quantities and classifications.

The Environment Agency has issued a remediation notice under the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/810 to Omex Agriculture Ltd. Omex was responsible for polluting the River Witham with ammonia in March 2018, which affected over 40km of river and killed 100,000 fish. The measures outlined in the remediation notice include creating new and better habitats within the river and maintaining those for at least the next ten years.

The Environment Agency has published the second edition of the National Framework for Water Resources, setting out a strategic, long-term vision to ensure resilient water supplies across England while protecting the environment and supporting national growth. Building on the foundations of the 2020 Framework and regional water resources management plans, the updated Framework identifies the critical need for integrated, multi-sector planning and outlines the scale of action required to meet England’s water demands to 2055 and beyond.

The Environment Agency (EA) has released guidance on spreading slurry or milk on land, or storing slurry in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Although ordinarily individuals who spread slurry or milk or store slurry are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements, the EA is temporarily easing regulation of these activities, provided that the conditions in its regulatory position statement (RPS) C12 are followed. Reliance on the RPS C12 is only permitted if individuals are unable to comply with regulations because of coronavirus-related challenges. A written agreement must be sought from the EA before it is used. The RPS C12 will be withdrawn on 30 September 2020 unless extended.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published its annual environmental performance report for 2024, assessing all nine water and sewerage companies operating in England. The EA reported that water companies in England achieved only 19 stars out of 36 in its 2024 Environmental Performance Assessment, down from 25 in 2023 and the lowest since the assessment began in 2011. Serious incidents causing environmental harm increased by 60% compared with 2023, with Thames Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water responsible for 81% of these incidents. The EA is investing in 500 additional staff including enforcement specialists and delivered over 4,600 inspections in 2024/25, targeting 10,000 in 2025/26. Since 2015, the EA has concluded 67 prosecutions against water companies, securing fines totalling over £153m.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published its Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) Storm Overflow Annual Return for 2025, satisfying the statutory requirements under the Environment Act 2021 (EA 2021). The report reveals that there were 291,492 spill events in 2025—a 35% reduction compared to 2024—with the total monitored spill duration decreasing by 48%. Currently, every storm overflow in England is equipped with an event duration monitor, ensuring complete national coverage. In addition, the EA has updated its EDM Data Portal to offer public access to monitoring information across England. The provided data underpins £10.2 billion of investment in storm overflow upgrades and contributes to £104 billion in water infrastructure spending over the next five years.