Environmental Delivery Plans
Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) set out a programme of conservation measures to address specific impacts of development in a defined area.
What EDPs are
EDPs are evidence-based plans designed to address specific impacts of development on one or more sites or species. They are created by Natural England and cover defined geographical areas.
They are used as part of the Nature Restoration Fund and each one covers:
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the geographic area covered by the EDP
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the types of development that may use it
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the environmental impacts it addresses
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the total development capacity it applies to
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the timeframe in which the EDP can be used
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the levy rate that will apply to eligible development
To understand if an EDP can be used by a specific development, a developer will need to identify whether:
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the development falls within an area covered by the EDP
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the development is a type covered by the EDP
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the EDP applies to the environmental impacts of that development
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the EDP has enough capacity for the development – capacity will be published on GOV.UK at regular intervals
Conservation measures
EDPs will also set out the conservation measures that Natural England will deliver using levy funding. These measures must be designed to materially outweigh the environmental impacts of the development using the EDP. This requirement is known as the overall improvement test.
The expected cost of delivering those measures will inform the EDP charging schedule, which sets the rate of the nature restoration levy.
EDP consultations
Each draft EDP will go through a public consultation, allowing interested parties the opportunity to give their views.
Draft EDPs will be available to read online throughout the consultation period. Once a final EDP has been made, it will be published on GOV.UK.