Environmental update – March 2026

Set out below is a brief summary of the key environmental developments from the past few weeks.

England’s new Land Use Framework

The Government has now published England’s first Land Use Framework following consultation in 2025. The Framework is intended to provide a strategic, evidence‑led approach to how land in England is used, recognising competing demands for housing, infrastructure, food production, nature recovery and climate mitigation.

The document establishes four principles to inform decisions relating or having an impact on land:

1. Multifunctional land use: Land should deliver multiple benefits at once, balancing social, environmental and economic needs.
2. Right use, right place: Land should be used in ways that suit local conditions and sensitivities.
3. Future‑ready decisions: Land use should take a long‑term view, informed by robust evidence and the sustainable development principle.
4. Adaptive by design: Policies should be flexible enough to respond to new evidence and changing priorities.

Importantly, the Land Use Framework is not a new layer of planning policy and is not intended to be a material consideration in planning decisions. However, the Government has confirmed that it will inform future updates to the National Planning Policy Framework and National Policy Statements, signalling that its influence will be felt indirectly through national policy over time.

The final version of the Framework and supporting documents are available here.

Environmental Outcomes Reports: reform back on the agenda

The Government has confirmed its intention to proceed with Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs), which are intended to replace the current systems of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment in England.

In March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published both the long‑awaited response to the earlier EOR consultation and a “Roadmap to reform”, confirming that EORs will be introduced through secondary legislation, with a phased transition and a period of dual‑running alongside the existing regimes.

EORs are designed to move away from lengthy, process‑driven assessments towards a more outcomes‑focused approach, testing whether plans and projects contribute to defined environmental objectives. Full implementation is anticipated by the end of 2027.

The consultation outcome is available here and the Roadmap to reform is available here.

Consultation on Best Available Techniques for industrial emissions

A further consultation has been launched on proposed UK Best Available Techniques (“BAT”) for reducing industrial emissions. 

The consultation seeks views on draft BAT conclusions, associated emission levels and performance standards for 4 industrial sectors: 

1. ferrous metals processing (forming)
2. ferrous metals processing (galvanizing)
3. textiles
4. common waste gas management and treatment in the chemicals industry

This forms part of the UK’s post‑EU framework for regulating industrial emissions and will ultimately feed into environmental permitting requirements. The consultation is open until 14 May 2026.

The consultation portal and supporting documents are available here.

Simpler Recycling comes into force

From 31 March 2026, the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms have come into effect for households across England. The new regulations are intended to end the “postcode lottery” of recycling by requiring local authorities to collect the same core waste streams.

In broad terms, households must now be offered separate collections for food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables (including glass, metal and plastic), and residual waste. Some flexibility is retained for local authorities in how collections are organised, but the underlying aim is greater consistency and higher recycling rates.

The official Government announcement is available here.