The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has written to government to welcome its proposed changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
In advice to government on the Bill in May, the OEP identified a number of areas where it advised environmental protections should be strengthened, while recognising the government’s intent to secure ‘win-win’ outcomes for development and for nature.
Government has now published details of a series of proposed amendments to the Bill.
OEP Chair Dame Glenys Stacey said: “The government’s amendments go a long way towards addressing the issues we raised in our advice.
“I have written to Matthew Pennycook, Minister for Housing and Planning, to acknowledge the significant extent to which government has taken positive steps in response to our advice.
“The Bill sets out government's intention to strike a different balance between risk and opportunity for nature protection and for development.
“While it is our view that, even after the material amendments the government proposes, the Bill would, in some respects, lower environmental protection on the face of the law, we think that, in the round, the additional safeguards proposed today make government’s intended “win-win” for nature and the economy a more likely prospect.
“Should the Bill receive Royal Assent, the practical implementation of the new measures will be key. We will continue to watch closely and to scrutinise how this significant change in environmental law is implemented.”
The exchange of letters can be read by clicking on the blue buttons to the right of this page.
Our advice to government on the Bill can be found here: OEP gives advice to Government on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill | Office for Environmental Protection
The amendments published today (17 July 2025) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government can be found here: HL Bill 110—I(b) Further information on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill can be found here: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill - GOV.UK
