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ARTICLE · 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

The First Draft Environmental Delivery Plan: A New Era In Environmental Mitigation In England?

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Natural England has released the first draft Environmental Delivery Plan, marking a significant milestone in establishing the Nature Restoration Fund. This development represents a crucial step forward in enabling the payment of Nature Restoration Levies and advancing environmental conservation efforts.

United KingdomEnvironment
Matthew Tucker
Matthew Tucker
Douglas Haycock
Douglas Haycock

Natural England have published the first draft Environmental Delivery Plan, which will unlock the payment of a Nature Restoration Levy, a key step towards a functioning Nature Restoration Fund.

Introduction

On 17 September 2026, Natural England published for consultation the first draft Environmental Delivery Plan (“EDP”). Covering Norfolk, it addresses nitrogen and phosphorus pollution affecting the Broads Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Broadland Ramsar site and River Wensum SAC.

It is the first EDP under the Nature Restoration Fund (“NRF”), introduced by Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (“the Act”), which received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025 and constitutes a significant step towards a regime which will fundamentally alter the approach to “Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)” mitigation in England.

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