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London, 13 December 2024 – Environmental Industries Association Highlights Impacts of Revised NPPF and Brownfield First Strategy

The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) today issued a statement on the significant impacts of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the government's Brownfield First strategy. These changes are set to reshape the landscape of urban development and environmental management in the UK.

Responding to the revised document Peter Atchison, PAGeo and Chair of the EIA Remediation of Land and Groundwater working group said “The newly released NPPF offers a good insight into the government’s plans for sustainable development throughout the current parliament. Brownfield is mentioned in 11 sections of the document and as brownfield development is synonymous with sustainability then the governments intent is clear. “Brownfield first” meets many of the goals of the NPPF and EIA members are
pleased to see its inclusion in this important first stage document”.

Sunil Shah, Acclaro Advisory and Chair of the EIA Sustainable Buildings Working Group said “We welcome the proactive approach to both mitigation and adaptation to climate change within the NPPF, particularly with the avoidance of increased vulnerability.
Potential consequences for flood risk and cumulative impacts will be of particular concern. Additional demands for local plans to lay out additional requirements for the sustainability of buildings and supply of renewable energy should be extended to allow
areas to promote high levels of whole life energy and carbon reduction. However, there is uncertainty how the NPPF will help to achieve the new Government targets of 81%reduction by 2035”.

The revised NPPF introduces several key paras aimed at promoting sustainable development while protecting valuable green spaces. One of the most notable changes is the emphasis on the "Brownfield First" strategy, which prioritizes the redevelopment of
previously developed land over greenfield sites. This approach is designed to mitigate urban sprawl and preserve the countryside, aligning with the government's broader environmental goals.

Here’s a summary of the key points related to brownfield land, environmental design, and permitting from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) December 2024:

Brownfield Land

• Promotion of Brownfield Land: The NPPF emphasises the importance of making effective use of previously developed or 'brownfield' land. It encourages local planning authorities to prioritise brownfield sites for redevelopment to meet housing and other development needs.
• Brownfield Registers: Local planning authorities are required to maintain brownfield land registers to identify suitable sites for residential development. This helps streamline the planning process and promotes the reuse of land that has
  been previously developed.
• Support for Remediation: The framework supports the remediation of despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated, or unstable land to bring it back into productive use.

Environmental Design

• Sustainable Development: The NPPF highlights the need for development to contribute to sustainable development goals, balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives.
• Design Quality: High-quality design is fundamental, with an emphasis on creating beautiful, sustainable places. Developments should be visually attractive, function well, and add to the overall quality of the area.
• Green Infrastructure: The integration of green infrastructure is encouraged to enhance biodiversity, support climate change adaptation, and improve the quality of life for residents.
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Developments should incorporate measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and sustainable drainage systems.

Permitting

• Decision-Making: Local planning authorities are encouraged to approach decisions on proposed developments positively and creatively, using tools like brownfield registers and permission in principle to facilitate development.
• Pre-Application Engagement: Early engagement between developers, local authorities, and communities is promoted to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application process.
• Environmental Impact Assessments: The NPPF requires that developments likely to have significant environmental effects undergo thorough environmental impact assessments to ensure that potential impacts are fully understood and mitigated.
• Conditions and Obligations: Planning conditions and obligations should be used to make otherwise unacceptable development acceptable. These should be necessary, relevant, and reasonable. EIA welcomes the retention of para 201
  which confirmed that the planning issues should not be revisited through the permitting regimes operated by pollution control authorities.

These points reflect the NPPF's commitment to promoting sustainable development, making effective use of land, and ensuring high-quality design while protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

Statements from Key Figures:
EIA wrote to Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing on Brownfield First and concerns over DoWCoP (version 3) and EIA is pleased that the Deputy Prime Minister has been a vocal advocate for the Brownfield First strategy. She emphasised the need to unlock potential housing sites on Brownfield site, stating, "There is lots of brownfield, lots of areas that need to be unlocked for development. Our priority is to build on brownfield sites first".

Matthew Pennycook, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of protecting green spaces. "We have been clear that developers should first look to brownfield, or previously developed, land. That is essential to protect our most valuable countryside and agricultural land"

Conclusion:
The Environmental Industries Association supports the revised NPPF and the Brownfield First strategy as crucial steps towards sustainable urban development. By prioritising brownfield sites and streamlining the planning process, these measures promise to balance the need for new housing with the imperative to protect and enhance the environment. EIA will work with the Government to ensure that Brownfield First delivery is maintained and escalate any concerns from our Members.

For more information about the Environmental Industries Association, please visit www.EIAssociation.co.uk
Tags: #AngelaRayner #Labour #NPPF #SustainableDevelopment #Housing #Brownfield
#Permitting #Sustainability #BNG #ClimateChange #Planning #LocalGovernment
For more information, please contact:
Environmental Industries Association (EIA)
Membership@EIAssociation.co.uk
07562138034

London, 4 December 2024 – The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) has expressed its support for the Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (Guidance) Bill introduced by Munira Wilson MP (Liberal Democrat) on 5th November 2024. The EIA, representing the majority of UK Environmental laboratories specialising in chemical analysis, applauds the increased parliamentary focus on PFAS.

In a letter to Munira Wilson MP, the EIA highlighted the contributions of its members to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the CIRIA Guidance on PFAS. The EIA, as the voice of the UK environmental services and technology sector, emphasised the importance of targeted regulations and bans on PFAS to mitigate their presence in human bodies and the environment.

The EIA’s working group on Remediation of Land and Groundwater and Environmental Analysis and Testing reviewed the Bill’s introduction and offered several observations:

1. Health Impacts: The link between PFAS exposure and health issues such as decreased fertility, thyroid disease, miscarriage, reduced sperm quality, and cancer is still tentative. However, the accumulation of PFAS in the body and their excretion into the environment underscore the need for stringent regulations.
2. Regulatory Challenges: The EIA noted the complexities of regulating PFAS as a chemical group due to their diverse properties and toxicity levels. A group-based approach, similar to that for petroleum hydrocarbons, could lead to either insufficient protection or overly stringent restrictions, with unintended consequences for public health and environmental safety.
3. Replacement Issues: The introduction of new PFAS to replace banned ones presents additional challenges. The EIA advocates for better utilisation of the EU & UK REACH process to ensure the safety of new chemicals entering the market.

Grouping PFAS: The EIA critiqued the proposal by Ian Cousens, Tony Fletcher, and others to group PFAS by extreme persistence and ubiquitous presence, noting that not all PFAS are extremely persistent. The EIA supports a more nuanced approach to grouping PFAS to avoid regulatory loopholes.

Dr Ken Scally, Chair of the Environmental Analysis and Testing working group said he welcomed the introduction of the Private Members Bill by Munira Wilson MP representing the Twickenham Constituency. Dr Scally went on to say our members, representing the forefront of chemical analysis expertise in the UK, are committed to supporting evidence-based policy and regulation. We welcome the opportunity to work closely with policymakers to ensure that legislative efforts effectively balance environmental protection, public health, and scientific rigor.

The EIA celebrates the attention Munira Wilson’s Private Members Bill is generating and offers to provide leading national experts to advise on the Bill’s direction. This offer extends to Government Ministers to ensure comprehensive and effective legislation.

London, 30 October 2024 –The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) has expressed significant concerns regarding the Labour budget announcement by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves. EIA Chairman Peter Atchison specifically highlighted the budget’s shortcomings in addressing critical environmental issues such as climate change, air quality, brownfield remediation and supporting the wider delivery arm of the UK green industries sector.

Lack of Support for Green Industries

Peter Atchison stated, “While the budget includes some positive steps towards Green Energy, Carbon capture it falls short in providing the necessary support for the SME sector whom deliver the grassroots green growth economy and represent the wider Environmental Services and Technology Sector which contributes over £29 billion in value per annum and expected to deliver 25,000 additional jobs over the next 12 months. That growth is in jeopardy and business leaders and our Members will need to re-evaluate business investment given the increase in employer contributions. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) clearly shows that the UK has ranked 5th globally, yet this budget does not reflect the urgency of the environmental crisis and the investment which is required to maintain and improve our environmental standing globally.”

Investment in Green Technology

Atchison emphasised the need for substantial investment in green technology. “The budget’s allocation for green technology is insufficient. To achieve our net-zero targets, enhance air quality and foster green jobs and innovation in the economy, we need a robust financial commitment. This budget does not provide the level of investment needed to drive the green technology sector forward.”

Remediation of Contaminated Sites for housing delivery

EIA recognises the housing crisis and supports much of the reforms of the NPPF and specifically Brownfield First, but the Chancellor has missed a trick on the eve of Halloween to extend land remediation relief from 150% to 200% for smaller developers with housing of less than 25 units, but we note that the Government plans a review of Land Remediation Relief next year which EIA will engage with. An extension of the relief  now would have helped to drive housing on brownfield sites (especially smaller sites which are often more complex) and also driven growth across the geo-remediation sector and environmental services sector which in turn would of delivered new homes.

Call for Action

The EIA will continue to engage with the government on these matters and continue to campaign to increase funding for green industries and technologies. “We urge the Chancellor to consider the long-term benefits of investing in our environment. Sustainable growth is not just an option; it is a necessity for our future,” Atchison concluded.

For further information, please contact: Environmental Industries Association news@EIAssociation.co.uk

For more information please contact:
Environment Industries Association (EIA)
Membership@EIAssociation.co.uk

Date:

26 September 2024

Environment Industries Association (EIA) Raises Concerns Over Permit Delays by the Environment Agency

September 26, 2024 – The Environment Industries Association (EIA) today expressed significant concerns regarding the ongoing delays in permit processing by the Environment Agency (EA). These delays are causing substantial disruptions and financial burdens across the Environmental Services and Technology Sector.

The EIA is calling for evidence and case studies from affected parties to highlight the extent of the impact these delays are having on operations and costs. The association aims to compile comprehensive data to present to Steve Reed, Secretary of State to DEFRA urging for immediate action to streamline the EA permit approval process.

“These delays are causing huge impacts on sites and added costs,” said Peter Atchison, Chairman of the EIA. “The wider industry sector are facing significant operational challenges and financial strain due to the prolonged wait times for permit approvals. We urge the Environment Agency to address these issues promptly to prevent further disruption and support the sustainability of our sector.”

The EIA invites all stakeholders within the Environmental Services and Technology Sector to submit their experiences and evidence of the delays’ impact. This collective effort aims to drive meaningful change and ensure a more efficient and responsive permit processing system.

For more information or to submit evidence please contact:

Environment Industries Association (EIA)
Membership@EIAssociation.co.uk
07562138034
www.EIAssociation.co.uk

Environmental Industries Association | LinkedIn

About the Environment Industries Association (EIA):
The EIA represents the interests of companies and organisations within the Environmental Services and Technology Sector. The Association advocates for policies and practices that promote environmental sustainability and innovation.

Date: September 18, 2024

The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new regional representatives. Jim Mills of Scotswold has been appointed as the EIA representative for Scotland, and Steve Barnes of Gramm Barriers will serve as the EIA representative for Wales. Jim also acts as the Chair of the influential EIA working group on Air Quality and will be chairing the leading Air Quality and Emissions Expo on 9-10 October at the NEC.

Jim Mills brings over 20 years of experience in environmental management and sustainability practices. As the founder and CEO of Scotswold, Jim has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for environmental challenges in Scotland. His expertise and leadership will be invaluable in advancing the EIA’s mission to promote sustainable practices and policies across the region.

Contact: Scotland@EIAssociation.co.uk

Steve Barnes, with his extensive background in environmental engineering and infrastructure development, has been a key figure at Gramm Barriers. H

is work has significantly contributed to the enhancement of environmental standards and the implementation of green technologies in Wales. Steve’s appointment as the EIA representative for Wales underscores the association’s commitment to fostering environmental excellence and innovation.

Contact: wales@EIAssociation.co.uk

The EIA believes having regional representation in Wales and Scotland plays a crucial role in addressing unique local issues and enhancing policy and regulatory advocacy with the central government. Our aim is to ensure regional representation ensures that the voices of Wales and Scotland are heard, fostering a more inclusive and responsive governance system.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim Mills and Steve Barnes to act as our regional representatives,” said Peter Atchison, Chairman of the Environmental Industries Association. “Their extensive experience and dedication to environmental services and technology sector will be instrumental in driving our initiatives forward in Scotland and Wales. We look forward to their contributions in promoting a greener and more sustainable future.”

The EIA is dedicated to supporting and advancing the environmental industry through advocacy, education, and collaboration. With the addition of Jim Mills and Steve Barnes, the association is poised to strengthen its efforts in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development across the UK.

London, 6 September 2024 – The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) today expressed its support for the newly introduced Water (Special Measures) Bill, which aims to enhance the management and protection of the UK’s water resources. This legislative move is seen as a significant step towards ensuring sustainable water management and safeguarding public health.

DEFRA Announcement

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced the introduction of the Water (Special Measures) Bill, with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues of water quality and infrastructure. Minister Reed stated, “This bill is a crucial part of our strategy to improve water management across the country. It will provide the necessary framework to tackle pollution, enhance water treatment facilities, and ensure that our water resources are managed sustainably.”

EIA’s Response

Peter Atchison, Chairman of the Environmental Industries Association, commented on the bill, emphasising the importance of adequate resources and local authority powers. He stated, “The Government must ensure that the Environment Agency has the necessary resources to conduct thorough investigations and enforce current regulations. Additionally, local councils must have the ability to impose conditions in planning to ensure that infrastructure for water treatment, water discharges, and sewage management is robust and effective.”

Key Provisions of the Bill

The Water (Special Measures) Bill introduces several key provisions aimed at improving the regulation and governance of water companies in the UK. Here are some of the main points:

1. Executive Accountability: The bill strengthens regulations to make water company executives criminally liable for severe failures¹.
2. Bonus Restrictions: It gives the water regulator new powers to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met¹.
3. Automatic Fines: The bill enables automatic and severe fines for wrongdoing².
4. Sewage Monitoring: It ensures the monitoring of every sewage outlet to prevent pollution².

These measures are designed to drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry².

 

However, the EIA have recommended that the Water (Special Measures) Bill should go further and include:

• Enhanced Regulatory Powers: The bill should grant the Environment Agency increased authority and resources to monitor and enforce water quality standards.
• Infrastructure Development: Local councils should be empowered to impose planning conditions that ensure the development of necessary water treatment and sewage infrastructure improvements.
• Pollution Control: Stricter measures should be implemented to control water pollution and protect natural water bodies.

The EIA believes that these measures are essential for the long-term sustainability of the UK’s water resources and the protection of public health. The Environmental Industries Association looks forward to working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the bill.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact: Environmental Industries Association news@eiassociation.co.uk