Site investigation work now exempt from green rules

Early stage construction works like site investigation, storage of waste materials and drainage operations will now be exempt from the environmental permitting system.

The government hopes the move will speed up construction of new housing and key infrastructure by cutting red tape and removing early holdups for builders.

The Environment Agency will now be empowered to consider which activities should be exempt from requiring an environmental permit, making the regime quicker and more flexible and proportionate for low-risk activities.

Builders could be saved up to 16 weeks of waiting by moving forward with projects, conducting site investigations and installing drainage channels, rather than being held up by a permit approval.

Many projects – such as solar and onshore windfarms – that do not require ongoing operational permits will be able to be constructed without the need for any environmental permits where the right conditions apply.

An onshore wind farm that might currently require a permit covering multiple activities such as channelling and discharge of uncontaminated water, storage of inert waste materials, preparing platforms for cranes and the installation of temporary floodwater barriers, may not require any permit at all if it meets the appropriate controls and conditions needed to uphold environmental protections.

Environment Minister Emma Hardy said: “We are committed to ensuring that environmental regulation works for everyone – protecting our towns and countryside from harm and delivering sustainable development.

“As part of the Plan for Change, a common-sense approach to environmental permitting in England will boost economic growth and unleash an era of building, while also keeping people and the environment safe.

“As the regulatory agency for environmental permitting, the Environment Agency will be responsible for determining the use of these exemptions in a targeted manner to support construction projects in England.”

The Environment Agency’s Chief Regulator, Jo Nettleton, said: “We have engaged closely with the consultation on reforms to environmental permitting, and look forward to continuing our work as a fair and proportionate regulator for people and the environment while supporting business and sustainable economic growth.”

from Construction Enquirer https://ift.tt/eUjvGTo