Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department’s policy paper entitled Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery, published on 15 December 2024, and pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 20226 on Environmental Impact Assessment, whether she plans to introduce the new regime through (a) secondary legislation under the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023 and (b) primary legislation.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 gave the government powers to bring forward Environmental Outcomes Reports.

The detail of the new system will be set out in secondary legislation through regulations as well as in guidance.

Until a new system is implemented current legislation on environmental assessment and its supporting guidance continues to apply.