Ministers tell Environment Agency to wave planning applications through

"Ministers have told officials at the Environment Agency to wave through planning applications with minimal resistance, as part of a major regulatory shakeup designed to increase economic growth and plug the government's financial hole. Officials at the agency say they have been told to do as little as legally possible to prevent housing applications from being approved, with the government also drafting in senior advisers from the housing department to speed up the process."

"Some believe the entire existence of the agency is under threat given Rachel Reeves's push to eliminate government quangos as part of her dash for growth. Government officials insist this is not the case. The moves come amid a wider push from the chancellor to inject more urgency into housing and infrastructure development, which she is hoping will help her fill a multibillion-pound hole at the next budget."

"But environmental campaigners warn that clipping the wings of the Environment Agency could harm wildlife and the natural world. One agency source said the staff from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) were pushing development at any cost. They added: We are taking a step back from planning and the organisational steer is to do the minimum required to fulfil our legal duties but nothing more. They are seeking legal advice as to what the minimum they can get away with is."

Ministers have directed the Environment Agency to reduce resistance to planning applications, aiming to speed housing and infrastructure development to support economic growth and close a budget gap. Senior advisers from the housing department have been drafted into the agency to accelerate decisions. Some officials fear the agency's remit is being narrowed to the bare legal minimum and worry about its long-term role amid efforts to cut quangos. Environmental campaigners warn that weaker scrutiny could harm wildlife and natural habitats. The Environment Agency says it still provides robust technical advice while acknowledging the presence of housing department staff.

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