Consultation outcome

Environmental Outcomes Reports: Roadmap to reform

Updated 13 March 2026

Introduction

Planning reform is central to unlocking growth and ensuring we leave a lasting legacy of environmental improvement. If we are to build the homes and infrastructure we need and deliver for nature, we must take action to ensure every part of the system is aligned to these goals.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 contained powers to bring forward a new domestic framework for environmental assessment which we will use to drive sustainable growth and better outcomes for the environment. Environmental impact assessment regimes cover a variety of different development and land management changes but the most critical to planning reform are the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations for the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the same for the Planning Act 2008 (for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects) as well as the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations. The new system of Environmental Outcomes Reports will enable us to manage the effects of development on the natural environment whilst supporting better, faster and greener delivery of the infrastructure and development we need. These reforms present an opportunity to increase growth while protecting nature.

Environmental assessments which support planning applications routinely run to many thousands of pages with important detail buried in overly complex reports that can prevent communities and decision-makers from understanding the environmental impacts of development. Environmental Outcomes Reports will streamline the assessment process with a new outcomes-based approach. They will provide clarity as to whether a plan or project supports the delivery of clear environmental outcomes – shifting from a passive assessment to one focused on supporting the delivery of our environmental objectives. Templates and guidance will be provided for users, clarifying how to report on the impact of the project/plan using outcomes. These reforms will ensure the value and rigour of environmental assessment is retained, while allowing us to push for better environmental outcomes. Reform of the system presents an opportunity to maximise the win-wins for development and nature, through Environmental Outcomes Reports.

Re-focusing assessment will:

• allow communities to better understand the environmental effects of development
• give developers the certainty and clarity they need to embed environmental considerations from the outset
• provide decision-makers with the information they need to give the environment sufficient weight and support robust, informed decisions

We will bring forward Environmental Outcomes Reports by the end of 2027 to replace Environmental Impact Assessment regulations under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning Act 2008 (for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects). Alongside this, we will introduce Environmental Outcomes Reports to replace the current system of Strategic Environmental Assessment. We will consider the most effective, and least disruptive, approach to transitioning from Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment to Environmental Outcomes Reports, which may include parallel running of systems for a time limited period. We will work closely with the devolved governments as they consider reforms in areas of devolved competence, to maximise the impact of reform.

The government is committed to designing the new system in partnership with users in industry and all those involved in the planning decision-making process, maintaining overall levels of environmental protection, and making the best use of data and digital tools. There will be multiple opportunities for stakeholders to engage in the policy development process through consultation on regulations, and where appropriate, expert and focus working groups. This roadmap sets out these commitments and phases of work the government will undertake to deliver Environmental Outcomes Reports most relevant to housing and infrastructure.

The power to reform

The government will bring forward a new domestic framework of environmental assessment, using powers in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. Through Environmental Outcomes Reports, the government will be able to ensure that environmental assessment reflects our environmental priorities and is better equipped to tackle the challenge of climate change.

Across housing and infrastructure, there is a pressing need to ensure that environmental assessment is supporting progress rather than generating process. By moving to an outcomes-based approach, and addressing procedural issues with the current system, we can go further for the environment and turn passive, subjective assessment into a more active tool to support the delivery of better environmental outcomes.

Overview of powers secured through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023

Setting outcomes	The Secretary of State has the power to set environmental outcomes with regard to the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan in line with the legislative commitment to ensure overall levels of environmental protection.
Supporting delivery	The Secretary of State has the power to produce guidance as to how plans and projects demonstrate they are supporting the delivery of outcomes at the appropriate scale.
Managing process	The Secretary of State has the powers to remove unnecessary duplication and streamline the assessment process in line with the focus on the delivery of outcomes.
Strengthening monitoring and mitigation	The Secretary of State has the power to introduce a more robust approach to how mitigation is considered throughout the development of the policy, plan or project.
Unlocking data	The Secretary of State can prepare regulations to allow planning authorities to require that standardised data is used during the environmental assessment process. The Secretary of State can also require that this standardised data is made openly available.
Ensuring alignment	The Secretary of State has the powers to manage the interaction where plans or projects engage with multiple assessment regimes.

Devolved governments also have these powers. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 does not introduce a requirement for devolved governments to bring forward Environmental Outcomes Reports but provides them with the power to do so where they have devolved competence.

Phases of work

This paper sets out the phases of work necessary to develop and deliver Environmental Outcomes Reports.

Phase 1: Setting outcomes

Phase 1 will focus on setting outcomes. Outcome setting will be accompanied by developing guidance that will be used to demonstrate how outcomes are being met.

Aim

Adopting an outcomes-based approach will place environmental issues at the heart of the reformed system. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 requires that regard is had to the Environmental Improvement Plan when setting outcomes, establishing a golden thread between plans, development projects and national environmental commitments. We will ensure Environmental Outcomes Reports are aligned with the updated plan.

Environmental non-regression is safeguarded through the Act, requiring that when making Environmental Outcomes Reports regulations, the Secretary of State must be satisfied that those regulations do not reduce the overall level of environmental protection provided by environmental law at the point the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2025 received Royal Assent. This will ensure that all likely significant effects are considered in a proportionate manner while benefitting from improved processes.

Outcomes will ensure assessment is focused and proportionate to the size of plans and projects. Standardised and clarified evidence requirements will focus assessment on key environmental impacts, making them faster to prepare and easier to read, supporting quicker progress towards housing and infrastructure delivery – ultimately driving growth, whilst maintaining robust environmental protections. Regulations will still establish an assessment procedure that effectively identifies the likely significant effects.

Outcomes will be set in secondary legislation with these outcomes supported by guidance. Using standardised datasets this will help participants to demonstrate whether a plan or project supports the delivery of each outcome, and data standards will, for the first time, be prescribed through regulations. Maximising the effective use of data throughout the development of Environmental Outcomes Reports is a priority.

This approach will allow us to assess and consider environmental impacts in a consistent way, building a better picture of how new development affects its surroundings and improving our ability to evaluate different measures. This in turn will allow for improved transparency, reducing subjectivity in the environmental assessment process and benefiting the public and decision-makers. The government will progress work to explore options, ensuring the measurement of outcomes is accurate at both the strategic and local scale.

Delivering this aim

Given the importance of outcomes in the new system, the government wants to develop Environmental Outcomes Reports in collaboration with stakeholders, specialists from across government, environmental groups and the wider sector.

The government will also establish a series of expert working groups who will support the development and delivery of this new approach.

In line with the provisions set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, the government will launch a public consultation on the draft regulations relating to outcomes and procedures for the 3 regimes, as well as meeting our other duties to consult as per the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

As now, other considerations and policy requirements, such as Biodiversity Net Gain, Habitats Regulations and Environmental Delivery Plans will sit outside the Environmental Outcomes Reports assessment framework. As we develop outcomes and indicators we will look to combine and/or align all evidential, data gathering and monitoring requirements to maximise efficiencies and co-ordination whilst streamlining process and minimising costs.

Phase 2: Reforming the process

Phase 2 will focus on drafting and consulting on regulations that underpin how EORs will operate in practice.

Aim

While outcomes form a key part of the system, the government recognises that reform of the underlying process of assessment presents a significant opportunity to make it a more efficient and effective tool for applicants, communities and decision-makers. Streamlined and standardised reporting requirements will make reports less resource intensive to produce and easier to engage with, increasing transparency and accountability as well as reducing costs and delays.

We will also look to align it with other aspects of planning reform such as the Nature Restoration Fund secured through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

Delivering this aim

In parallel to the work on outcomes and indicators, the government will be developing the structures and procedures that will implement Environmental Outcomes Reports.

The government intends to develop and test policy in conjunction with system users. Co-creation will be at the heart of this policy development to ensure that the new procedures are clear, practicable and sufficiently flexible to enable innovation.

To manage this development effectively, key ‘themes’ will be identified to ensure all processes are considered. These will include screening, scoping, decision-making, monitoring and enforcement. We will consider a range of perspectives in developing the new system.

The government will seek views on guidance related to the indicators and processes, including Environmental Outcomes Reports templates.

Phase 3: Transition and testing period

Phase 3 will focus on laying Statutory Instruments before testing and rolling out Environmental Outcomes Reports.

While committed to realising the benefits of Environmental Outcomes Reports for housing and infrastructure as soon as possible, the government recognises that the transition to the new framework must be properly managed. The powers in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act allow us to adopt a phased transition that can accommodate dual running to ensure a smooth transition to the new system. This will allow us to be clear with users how the new system will be brought in over the coming years across the various regimes.

Until a new system is implemented, current legislation on environmental assessment and its supporting guidance continues to apply.  

Delivering this aim

We will work with the Planning Advisory Service and stakeholders on how best to manage the transition. To support this process, the government is proposing to identify specific pilot plans and projects to test the new process. This will allow us to address any issues and adjust the approach if required.

As part of this testing phase, and to support the wider roll out of the new system, the government is also proposing to:

• develop a suite of forms / templates – these will make clear what will be required to show the delivery of each outcome in an Environmental Outcomes Report and will link to the data standards to be set out in regulations. There will be forms applicable to each set of regulations as well as worked examples
• stress-test the new system and work through real-world examples with system users across a range of scenarios to build resilience, usability and accessibility
• arrange practitioner / user workshops – together with the relevant stakeholders we will run workshops with practitioners and users to make sure the emerging approach is fit for purpose and adds value to decisions made in the planning context. Pilot plans and projects will inform key processes, support, and guidance
• prepare a suite of guidance – we will prepare detailed guidance and review it regularly during testing and rollout. We will maintain a feedback loop with users to make sure our guidance delivers appropriate advice as we transition to the new system

If you want to get involved with our pilot plans and projects, please email the team: EnvironmentalAssessmentCorrespondence@communities.gov.uk.