CLA welcomes review of environmental regulation

Report by Dan Corry reflects several CLA recommendations - but Defra 'has a lot of work to do'
Written by Mike Sims. First published on 2 Apr 2025.
Landscape of fields and railway

The CLA has welcomed a review of environmental regulation that reflects several of our recommendations - but Defra must now deliver.

A new review, commissioned by Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed and led by economist Dan Corry, has found the current system of environmental regulation is outdated, inconsistent and highly complex.

The review concludes that a “bonfire” of regulations is not the solution, but it makes 29 recommendations for streamlining regulation, which the government says it is "actively considering".

Nine measures with the greatest impact for growth and nature recovery will be fast-tracked. The government says work has already begun on:

  • Lead regulator: A single, lead regulator for major infrastructure projects to aid developers seeking planning approvals from multiple authorities.
  • Revamping environmental guidance: Rapidly reviewing the existing catalogue of compliance guidance, including on protecting bats, will identify opportunities to remove duplication, ambiguity, or inconsistency.
  • Planning permit portal: Defra will convene the environmental regulators to set out the work required to upgrade their digital systems for planning advice, including a single planning portal for all agencies.
  • New Defra Infrastructure Board: This will accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects by facilitating greater collaboration and stronger oversight within Defra and its arms-length bodies.
  • Green finance boost: A new industry-funded Nature Market Accelerator will bring coherence to nature markets.

'Needs to be streamlined'

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:

“The current system of environmental regulation is overly complex and hard to navigate, and needs to be streamlined to protect nature while allowing development to take place.

“While Dan Corry’s review does not recommend a ‘bonfire’ of regulations, it does seek to modernise the system and help drive growth, which is welcome. The report reflects many of the CLA’s recommendations such as action to unlock private sector funding, improving regulatory processes and guidance, and simplifying planning for nature-based solutions, but there is a lot of work to do in Defra before they are realised.

“Having a lead regulator for major infrastructure projects and establishing an Infrastructure Board might speed up approvals and unblock barriers to development at an early stage, but the system must work with affected farmers and landowners. Our members can help deliver housing and infrastructure projects while supporting nature recovery, but they must be part of the process.”