Environmental outcome reports: Roadmap to reform

The UK government is reforming its environmental assessment system to align planning with national environmental priorities, accelerate development, and improve environmental outcomes. These reforms centre on replacing the current Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) regimes with a new Environmental Outcomes Reports (EOR) framework by the end of 2027. [1]

The existing EIA / SEA system is described as overly complex, generating long, technical reports that hinder clarity for communities, developers, and decision‑makers. The new EOR system aims to streamline the process while retaining rigour, shifting from passive assessment to an outcomes‑based approach that focuses on delivering measurable environmental improvements. [2]

Environmental Outcomes Reports are intended to:

• Make environmental effects easier for communities to understand
• Give developers greater certainty and consistency
• Provide decision‑makers with clearer evidence to support robust decisions
• Support faster, greener delivery of housing and infrastructure

Legislative powers

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 provides the legal basis to implement EORs. The Secretary of State gains powers to:

• Set environmental outcomes aligned with the UK government’s Environmental Improvement Plan
• Streamline processes and remove duplication
• Standardise data requirements and ensure open data availability
• Introduce stronger mitigation, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms
• Manage interactions across multiple assessment regimes

Devolved administrations may adopt EORs but are not required to do so.

Roadmap for implementation

The government intends to implement the EOR reforms in three stages, targeting the end of 2027.

Phase 1 – setting outcomes

This phase will focus on defining environmental outcomes and developing guidance. Outcomes will be proportionate, data‑driven, and designed to maintain (or increase) current levels of environmental protection. Draft regulations for all three assessment regimes will undergo public consultation, supported by expert working groups.

Phase 2 – reforming the process

The government will redesign and consult on new assessment procedures. Goals include:

• Standardising and simplifying reporting
• Aligning with broader planning reforms (e.g. the Nature Restoration Fund)
• Improving transparency and reducing delay

Policy development will occur collaboratively with system users across themes such as screening, scoping, decision‑making, monitoring, and enforcement. Templates and guidance will also be developed.

Phase 3 – transition and testing

Statutory instruments will be laid, followed by real‑world testing. A phased transition, potentially with dual running of old and new systems, will ensure minimal disruption. Pilot plans and projects will test forms, templates, data standards, and processes. Workshops, stress‑testing, and continual feedback loops will support refinement and rollout. Existing EIA / SEA legislation will remain in force until transition occurs.

Conclusion

Whilst the government is targeting EORs being in place by the end of 2027, it remains to be seen whether this is achievable, given the volume of secondary legislation required, as well as competing priorities within the planning system and local government reform.

In the short term, EIA and SEA requirements for plans, projects, and programmes will continue under the existing regulatory frameworks. There is widespread support for a two‑year transition period following the initial introduction of EORs, and clients may wish to consider making use of these transitional arrangements. EIA and SEA currently benefit from many years of established case law, whereas EORs are likely to be subject to legal challenge once introduced. The UK government also notes the need for training and capacity‑building across the sector.

Whilst details remain relatively scarce at this stage, the UK government has stated its intention to design effective mitigation, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms that strengthen environmental outcomes without overburdening local authorities, while also acknowledging concerns about long‑term monitoring costs. There is also a commitment to exploring how climate change can be meaningfully incorporated within EORs while avoiding duplication with other planning policies or emerging reforms.

Finally, the UK government’s push to speed up decision‑making continues. New measures announced on 26th March include an intention to replace EIAs with EORs as part of a significant step towards reducing bureaucracy around new infrastructure projects.

Next steps

SLR has responded to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to declare its interest in involvement in pilot plans and projects. We are also actively engaged with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) and are part of the steering group, representing the industry in discussions with MHCLG.

Our team has extensive experience delivering Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment services across the UK and internationally, supporting complex plans and projects through all stages of the planning and consenting process. Drawing on our depth of practical and regulatory experience, we will utilise our expertise to help shape the development and implementation of the Environmental Outcomes Reports framework. Through active engagement with policy makers and professional bodies, we are contributing informed, practitioner-led insight into how the reforms can deliver clearer and more proportionate assessments.

SLR is well placed to interpret emerging legislation, guidance, and data standards, and to translate these changes into clear, actionable advice for clients. We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide timely updates as further detail on the EOR reforms becomes available, supporting clients in understanding the direction of travel and preparing for transition from existing EIA and SEA regimes.

If you have any questions on EORs or the implications for your projects, contact us today.