Environment Legislation
Regulations protecting natural resources, addressing climate change, pollution control, and environmental conservation measures.
The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective November 13, 2025, activate parts of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.
The Act governs the release and sale of precision-bred organisms, specifically focusing on plants within England, Wales, and Scotland.
The regulations specify which sections of the Act come into force, primarily those concerning the release, marketing, risk assessment, and production of food from precision-bred plants, and their enforcement.
The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025
The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025, enacted by the Marine Management Organisation, extends the Blyth Harbour limits to encompass Ash Barge Dock.
The order amends the Blyth Harbour Act 1986 to reflect this change, defining "Ash Barge Dock" and incorporating it into the harbour's jurisdictional boundaries.
The order also protects the rights of Trinity House and safeguards Crown interests.
It came into force on June 2nd, 2025, and applies to England and Wales.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2025
This order amends the 2015 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order for England.
Key changes include relaxing restrictions on installing electric vehicle charging points and air source heat pumps, streamlining planning processes for these developments.
Specific alterations involve removing certain limitations on the size, location, and number of permitted installations.
A transitional provision allows continued development under previous regulations for a limited time.
The Phytosanitary Conditions (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the Phytosanitary Conditions Regulation (EU 2019/2072) to update lists of quarantine and non-quarantine pests in Great Britain.
The amendments add *Pseudomonas avellanae* and *Neodiprion abietis* to the quarantine pest list, remove others from both quarantine and provisional quarantine lists, modify host plant lists, and revise import requirements for several plant species and products.
The changes aim to enhance plant health protection and align with international standards, with some provisions coming into effect on May 30th, 2025.
The Rivenhall Generating Station Extension (Correction) Order 2025
The Rivenhall Generating Station Extension (Correction) Order 2025 amends the 2024 order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008.
It addresses errors identified in the original order regarding definitions within Article 2(1), specifically removing erroneous references to the Companies Act 2006 concerning "the 2006 Act," "holding company," and "subsidiary." The Secretary of State made the correction following a formal written request, notifying relevant local planning authorities.
The Official Controls (Extension of Transitional Periods) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Official Controls (Extension of Transitional Periods) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective May 20, 2025 (with some exceptions), extend several transitional periods related to post-Brexit official controls on food, feed, animal health, plant health, and plant protection products.
The amendments postpone deadlines in Annex 6 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the Official Controls (Extension of Transitional Periods) Regulations 2021, and the Official Controls (Plant Health) (Frequency of Checks) Regulations 2022, delaying stricter checks on certain imported goods until January 31, 2027.
These changes aim to ease the transition to the new regulatory framework.
The A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Development Consent (Corrections) Order 2025
The A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Development Consent (Corrections) Order 2025 rectifies errors within the 2024 Development Consent Order granted under the Planning Act 2008.
Following requests from the applicant and Essex County Council, the Secretary of State issued this order, which details specific corrections to various articles and schedules, encompassing definitions, references, and textual inconsistencies relevant to highway specifications, environmental documentation, and land acquisition processes.
The order came into force on April 25th, 2025.
The Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 Power Station (Amendment) Order 2025
The Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 Power Station (Amendment) Order 2025, effective April 28th, 2025, amends the 2015 Order.
It clarifies the definition of "processed municipal solid waste" within the 2015 Order by including waste types specified in several EU decisions (2000/532/EC, 2001/118/EC, 2001/119/EC, 2001/573/EC, and 2014/955/EU).
This change addresses an application for non-material change, aiming for better clarity in waste processing regulations within the power station's operation.