The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025
Source: legislation.gov.uk (2025-04-08)

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Environment Act 2021 (c. 30) (“the Act”). These are the tenth commencement regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Act.

Statutory Instruments

2025 No. 447

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025

Made

3rd April 2025

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 147(3) and (10) of the Environment Act 2021(1 (\"#f00001\")).

Citation and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025.

(2) In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Environment Act 2021;

“the 1990 Act” means the Town and Country Planning Act 1990(2 (\"#f00002\")).

Provisions coming into force on 1st May 2025

2.—(1) The following provisions of the Act come into force on 1st May 2025—

(a)section 98 (biodiversity gain as condition of planning permission) in so far as it relates to the provisions commenced by sub-paragraph (b) of this paragraph;

(b)paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 14 (biodiversity gain as condition of planning permission) in so far as they insert the following provisions of Schedule 7A to the 1990 Act(3 (\"#f00003\")), for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (2) of this regulation—

(i)paragraphs 1 and 2;

(ii )paragraphs 5 to 11;

(iii)paragraph 12(1), except paragraph (a) in the definition of “planning authority”;

(iv)paragraph 12(3);

(v)paragraphs 13 to 21.

(2) The purposes referred to in paragraph (1)(b) of this regulation relate to planning permission granted on an application made under Part 13 of the 1990 Act.

Mary Creagh

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

3rd April 2025

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Environment Act 2021 (c. 30) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2021/30\") (“the Act”). These are the tenth commencement regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Act.

Regulation 2 brings into force on 1st May 2025 specified sections of the Act.

Section 98 of, and paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 14 to, the Act insert Schedule 7A into the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1990/8\") (“the 1990 Act”) (together with section 90A which introduces it). Schedule 7A to the 1990 Act makes provision for a statutory condition to apply to all planning permissions granted in England, subject to a power to grant exceptions. The condition is intended to ensure the biodiversity gain objective is met. The provisions in Schedule 7A to the 1990 Act are commenced so far as they relate to planning permissions granted on application made under Part 13 of the 1990 Act.

An impact assessment has not been published for these Regulations as they have no impact on cost to business, the public or voluntary sectors independent of the provisions these Regulations bring into force. A full impact assessment has been published in relation to the Act and copies can be obtained from the website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at www.gov.uk/defra (\"http://www.gov.uk/defra\") or from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at 2 Marsham Steet, London, SW1P 4DF, United Kingdom.

NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT Regulations

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The following provisions of the Environment Act 2021 (c. 30) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2021/30\") have been brought into force by commencement Regulations made before the date of these Regulations;

ProvisionDate of CommencementS.I. No.Sections 1 to 724th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C. 2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Sections 8 to 1524th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C. 2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 1624th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C. 2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 17 and 1810th May 2022S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Section 1910th May 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")1st November 2023 (for all remaining purposes)S.I. 2023/381 (C.18) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/381\")Section 2010th May 2022S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Section 211st April 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 22 to 2417th November 2021S.I. 2021/1274 (C.72) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2021/1274\")Section 2524th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 2617th November 2021S.I. 2021/1274 (C.72) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2021/1274\")Section 2724th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 28 to 3024th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 31 to 4124th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 42 and 4324th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 44 to 4717th November 2021S.I. 2021/1274 (C. 72) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2021/1274\")Section 4825th July 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 4928th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 5024th January 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")28th February 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022 No. 223 (W.71) (C.10) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/wsi/2022/223\")9th November 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.S.I 2022/305 (C.18) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ssi/2022/305\")Section 5128th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 5228th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 5328th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 5428th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 5528th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R.2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 5628th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 5717th May 2024S.I. 2024/639 (C.40) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/639\")Section 5928th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 6024th January 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")7th March 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.I. 2022 No.223 (W.71) (C.10) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/wsi/2022/223\")Section 6128th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 6224th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 6424th January 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")7th March 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022 No. 223 (W.71) (C.10) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/wsi/2022/223\")9th November 2022 (partially)S.S.I. 2022/305 (C.18) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ssi/2022/305\")Section 6528th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 6728th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 681st April 2023 (partially)S.I. 2023/381 (C.18) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/381\")Section 691st April 2023 (partially)S.I. 2023/381 (C.18) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/381\")Section 7128th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 721st May 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 731st May 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 74 to 7717th May 2024S.I. 2024/639 (C.40) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/639\")Section 791st September 2024 (partially)S.I. 2024/639 (C.40) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/639\")Section 8117th May 2024 (partially)S.I. 2024/639 (C.40) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/639\")1st January 2025 (for all remaining purposes)S.I. 2024/639 (C.40) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/639\")Section 823rd November 2023 (partially)S.I. 2023/1170 (C.77) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/1170\")17th May 2024 (for all remaining purposes)S.I. 2024/639 (C.40) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/639\")Section 8510th May 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Section 8624th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 8710th May 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Section 8928th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 9128th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Section 9429th September 2022S.I. 2022/988 (C.75) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/988\")Section 9629th September 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/988 (C.75) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/988\")Section 983rd November 2023 (partially)S.I. 2023/1170 (C.77) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/1170\")12th February 2024 (partially)S.I. 2024/44 (C.4) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/44\")Section 1003rd November 2023 (partially)S.I. 2023/1170 (C.77) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/1170\")12th February 2024 (for all remaining purposes)S.I. 2024/44 (C.4) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/44\")Section 10112th February 2024S.I. 2024/44 (C.4) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/44\")Sections 102 and 1031st January 2024S.I. 2022/1266 (C.100) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/1266\")Section 104 to 10824th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 10930th September 2022S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Section 11024th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 11130th September 2022S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Section 112 and 11324th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 1141st January 2023S.I. 2022/1266 (C.100) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/1266\")Section 11530th November 2023S.I. 2023/1170 (C.77) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/1170\")Section 11630th September 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Part 730th September 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Section 14028th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 117th November 2021S.I. 2021/1274 (C.72) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2021/1274\")Schedule 225th July 2022 (partially)S.R. 2022 No. 54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 328th February 2022S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 424th January 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")28th February 2022 (partially)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")7th March 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022 No. 223 (W.71) (C.10) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/wsi/2022/223\")9th November 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.S.I. 2022/305 (C.18) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ssi/2022/305\")Schedule 528th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 628th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 728th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 828th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 928th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54(C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")Schedule 111st May 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Schedule 12, Part 11st May 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Schedule 12, Part 31st May 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Schedule 1324th January 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Schedule 143rd November 2023 (partially)S.I. 2023/1170 (C.77) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/1170\")12th February 2024 (partially)S.I. 2024/44 (C.4) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2024/44\")Schedule 161st January 2023S.I. 2022/1266 (C.100) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/1266\")Schedule1730th September 2022 (partially)S.I. 2022/518 (C.21) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/518\")Schedule 1830th September 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Schedule 1930th September 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Schedule 2030th September 2022S.I. 2022/48 (C.2) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2022/48\")Schedule 2128th February 2022 (for all remaining purposes)S.R. 2022 No.54 (C.5) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2022/54\")

(1)

2021 c. 30 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2021/30\").

(2)

1990 c. 8 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1990/8\").

(3)

Schedule 7A is subject to amendments in S.I. 2025/418 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2025/418\") which take effect on 1st May 2025.