IEEP UK was quoted in an article in The Guardian today which reports that the EU’s Ambassador has met with the environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, to raise concerns that the UK’s planning proposals may constitute regression from the existing nature protections that the UK committed to when leaving the EU. These commitments were part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and it is understood that the EU fears the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill would affect the level playing field, and risk the proposal to link electricity markets which was tabled at the 19 May UK-EU Reset agreement.

IEEP UK has previously flagged concerns in a briefing in May 2025 that the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill would diverge from EU nature protections, and highlighted the legal opinions that have been put forward suggesting that it would constitute regression.

Ben Reynolds, Executive Director of IEEP UK, commented: “It is understandable that the EU has concerns that the Planning Bill as it stands, regresses on the commitments the UK made when it left the EU to maintain similar levels of environmental standards, and in this case nature protection.”

“There is no clear argument around removing these protections as the Bill currently threatens, but the case against is strong if it jeopardises the Government’s nascent work to rebuild relationships with the EU. The economic case is clear for closer cooperation with the EU, be it on energy markets or other aspects of policy that would remove trade barriers and benefit British businesses and our environmental standards.”

“Nature and economic growth can go hand in hand – and on paper the Government shares this intention – but needs to accept vital amendments in the final stages of the Bill in the Lords to ensure this is a reality.”

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is currently being considered in the House of Lords at the final report stage.