Environment Legislation

Regulations protecting natural resources, addressing climate change, pollution control, and environmental conservation measures.

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2026

This Order modifies the permitted development rights for domestic renewable energy installations in England, establishing distinct regulatory criteria for dwellinghouses and blocks of flats.

It introduces height, protrusion, and surface area limits for solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal equipment, while specifically prohibiting the installation of plug-in solar equipment on wooden or timber-clad exterior surfaces.

The Order applies to residential developers and homeowners, mandating that equipment installed in sensitive locations—such as conservation areas or near highways—meets stricter visual and dimensional standards to qualify for planning permission without a full application.

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The Net Zero Teesside (Amendment) Order 2026

This Order modifies the design parameters for the Net Zero Teesside carbon capture and power project by increasing the permitted inner diameters of two specific stacks.

It directs that the inner diameter for the heat recovery steam generator stack be increased from 6.5 meters to 9.0 meters and the absorber stack be increased from 6.6 meters to 7.0 meters.

The order applies to the developers and operators authorized under the original 2024 development consent order, administered by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

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The Environmental Permitting (Waste Controlling or Transporting) and Relevant Functions of Primary Authorities (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026

These Regulations integrate the regulation of waste carriers, brokers, and dealers into the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 framework, replacing the previous registration system under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 in England.

They establish three new classes of regulated facilities: waste controlling activity, waste transporting activity, and waste controlling-transporting activity, making them subject to environmental permits or specific exemptions.

The Environment Agency is designated as the regulator for these activities, which include duties to apply the waste hierarchy and carry identification during transport.

The rules apply to businesses, charities, and individuals involved in the moving, buying, selling, or arranging for the disposal of waste in England.

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The Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026

These regulations mandate how local planning authorities in England must distribute decision-making powers between elected member committees and unelected officers for various types of planning applications.

The instrument requires smaller-scale applications, such as householder and minor residential projects, to be determined by officers, while allowing larger or more significant developments to be referred to a committee of no more than 13 members.

These requirements apply to all relevant local planning authorities in England beginning 31 October 2026.

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The Energy Act 2023 (Commencement No. 5, Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Energy Act 2023 that reform how the UK government charges for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines.

The order repeals existing fee-setting powers in the Petroleum Act 1998 and brings into effect new expenditure recovery mechanisms, while maintaining the older fee structure for projects that are already underway or have submitted formal requests by 30 September 2026.

These rules apply to offshore installation operators and owners of submarine pipelines, excluding those dedicated to carbon capture and storage.

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The Offshore (Oil and Gas) Installation and Pipeline Abandonment Charges (Revocation) Regulations 2026

These regulations establish a new charging regime for the decommissioning and abandonment of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines in the United Kingdom.

They authorize the Secretary of State to recover costs from persons who have been served with a 'section 29 notice' by applying hourly rates for administrative, decommissioning, and environmental specialist staff, plus additional expenses for commissioned work.

The regulations apply to all holders of abandonment notices for offshore installations and submarine pipelines, excluding carbon dioxide pipelines, and clarify that all such holders are jointly and severally liable for the accrued charges.

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The Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

These Regulations amend existing nuclear safeguards and fee structures to update reporting requirements, terminology, and administrative timelines for operators of qualifying nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom.

They direct operators to provide more detailed design information, extended records retention, and adjusted notice periods for the import and export of nuclear material while authorizing the Office for Nuclear Regulation to recover costs for its expanded oversight activities.

These rules apply to all nuclear facility operators, carriers, and agents handling qualifying nuclear material across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

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The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026

These Regulations permit the use of standard plugs for plug-in solar microgenerators with a maximum output of 800 watts, provided they meet specific safety criteria.

They authorize notified bodies to approve plugs that do not fully conform to British Standard BS 1363 solely because they facilitate electricity generation.

The instrument applies to manufacturers of plug-in solar devices, notified bodies responsible for safety certification, and consumers in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (though grid-related amendments apply only to Great Britain).

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