This announcement delivers the level of certainty that will help businesses prepare for life outside the EU.
The following planning system regimes will therefore continue to operate after the UK leaves the European Union (EU) on 29 March 2019:
- Environmental Impact Assessments
- Strategic Environmental Assessments
- Hazardous Substances Regulations
The Government has said it is committed to “maintaining the highest environmental standards after we leave the EU, and will continue to uphold international obligations through multilateral environmental agreements.”
This is welcome news for the environmental and construction supply chain, which require as smooth a transition as possible when the UK leaves the EU.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders, said:
“Brexit remains a major concern for the construction industry. The recent announcement on environmental regulation delivers the level of certainty that will help businesses prepare for life outside the EU.
“However, certainty remains elusive on some key industry challenges such as accessing skilled labour from the EU. Without construction specific visas and better guidance for self-employed traders, businesses will struggle to operate.”