Environment Legislation

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

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey) Order 2025

Published: Tue 16th Sept 25 Came into force: Wed 17th Sept 25

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey) Order 2025 established September 24, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for specified coastal land.


This order sets September 24, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for coastal land between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey.

The decision follows the approval by the Secretary of State of Natural England's proposals, detailed in six reports, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

The order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as its legal basis and clarifies terms and definitions used in the approval process.

Copies of the Secretary of State’s notices of approval are available online and through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Isle of Wight) (No. 1) Order 2025

Published: Tue 16th Sept 25 Came into force: Wed 17th Sept 25

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Isle of Wight) (No. 1) Order 2025 set the end date for the access preparation period for specified coastal areas on the Isle of Wight to September 17, 2025.


This Order establishes September 17, 2025, as the end date for the access preparation period for coastal margin land on the Isle of Wight.

The decision is based on approvals granted by the Secretary of State for proposals outlined in reports by Natural England concerning coastal access routes.

The Order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as its legal basis.

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The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025

Published: Thu 11th Sept 25 Came into force: Fri 12th Sept 25

The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025 corrected errors and omissions identified in the 2025 Development Consent Order.


This order corrects errors and omissions within the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025.

The corrections, requested by the applicant and the Kent Downs National Landscape Team, were made under the Planning Act 2008 and involve alterations to various articles and schedules, including modifications of definitions, article text, and table entries.

The order ensures the accuracy of the original consent order, improving clarity and facilitating the project’s efficient implementation.

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The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 9th Sept 25 Came into force: Tue 30th Sept 25

The 2025 regulations amended the 2021 Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations, lowering peat burning thresholds, updating definitions, adding licensing grounds for research, and removing outdated elements.


The Heather and Grass etc.

Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2021 regulations governing vegetation burning on peatland in England.

Key changes include lowering the peat depth threshold for burning prohibitions from 40cm to 30cm, removing the definition of ‘designated site’, introducing a definition of ‘less favoured area’, updating references in the definition of ‘upland area’, modifying licensing grounds to include historic feature protection and research purposes, and removing a licensing ground.

These changes aim to improve environmental protection, streamline regulations, and align with current mapping and policy.

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The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Generation Licence) (Riverside Energy Park) (England) Order 2025

Published: Tue 9th Sept 25 Came into force: Wed 1st Oct 25

An exemption from the electricity generation license requirement was granted to Riverside Energy Park Limited for its Riverside 2 facility in Belvedere, London, subject to specific conditions.


The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Generation Licence) (Riverside Energy Park) (England) Order 2025 grants an indefinite exemption to Riverside Energy Park Limited from the requirement of obtaining a generation license for its Riverside 2 energy from waste facility in Belvedere, London.

This exemption is subject to conditions limiting power export to 100 megawatts and requiring connection to the national grid.

The order applies only to England and was enacted under the Electricity Act 1989.

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The Response to the Committee on Climate Change Report (Extension of Period) Order 2025

Published: Thu 4th Sept 25 Came into force: Tue 14th Oct 25

The 2025 Order extended the deadline for the UK government's response to the Committee on Climate Change's 2025 report.


The Response to the Committee on Climate Change Report (Extension of Period) Order 2025 extends the deadline for the UK government's response to the Committee on Climate Change's 2025 report from October 15th, 2025, to October 29th, 2025.

The order cites the need to allow sufficient time for a thorough response to the report's recommendations.

It was made under the powers granted by sections 37(5) and 90(3)(a) of the Climate Change Act 2008 and applies to the whole of the United Kingdom.

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The Viking CCS Carbon Dioxide Pipeline (Correction) Order 2025

Published: Thu 21st Aug 25 Came into force: Wed 20th Aug 25

The Viking CCS Carbon Dioxide Pipeline (Correction) Order 2025 corrected errors in the original Viking CCS Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Order 2025, amending various articles and schedules.


The Viking CCS Carbon Dioxide Pipeline (Correction) Order 2025 amends the original 2025 order to fix errors.

The Secretary of State received a written request for these corrections, which were made in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.

Specific corrections involve substituting, inserting, or omitting text in various parts of the original order, including articles and schedules specifying work details, environmental impact considerations and legal processes.

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The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) (Variation) Order 2025

Published: Tue 15th Jul 25 Came into force: Tue 5th Aug 25

The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) Order 2024 was varied to amend licensing eligibility criteria for cockle fishing, restricting licenses until December 2031 for individuals previously connected to specified companies.


The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) (Variation) Order 2025 modifies the 2024 Order, altering article 5(12) regarding licence eligibility.

Specifically, it makes individuals who were shareholders or officers of certain companies ineligible for licenses or renewals until December 2031.

The order, enacted under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967, aims to improve the regulation of cockle fishing in the Thames Estuary.

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