1 Johnson promises an ‘environmental transformation’ under no deal
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced there will be an “environmental transformation” if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, in a new report on no deal preparations. MORE
2 Compliance: Ineos's Seal Sands plant's permit performance
Ineos has announced that its Seal Sands acrylonitrile plant on Teesside faces closure, citing the cost of environmental regulation among the reasons behind its decision. The plant has a poor record of compliance with its environmental permits over recent years, Environment Agency data shows. MORE
3 EA officers assaulted while inspecting site
A man has pleaded guilty to assaulting two Environment Agency officers when they attended a concrete business in West Yorkshire in April. MORE
4 Controversial Drax gas plant approval risks ‘carbon budget blowout’
Consent has been granted for Drax power station to replace its two remaining coal-fired units with four gas turbines, contrary to advice from the Planning Inspectorate. The redevelopment, prompted by government policy to abolish coal from the UK’s energy mix by 2025, would deliver 3.6 gigawatts of power from gas, making it by far the largest gas-fired facility in the UK. MORE
5 DEFRA claims 'payments by results' pilot a success for nature
A government trial in which landowners receive money for boosting wildlife has been deemed a success by DEFRA and Natural England. The government intends to use similar mechanisms to replace existing agri-environment schemes. MORE
6 Natural England recommends biodiversity net gain target to ‘future proof’ 4,000-home garden village
Wildlife regulator Natural England has advised a local authority wishing to build a garden village in Cornwall that it should pursue “a measurable net gain for biodiversity” in line with the revised national planning framework and the policies set out in its local plan. MORE
7 Scottish government vows to use planning process to stymie fracking projects
The Scottish government has refused to propose a legislative ban on shale gas and other unconventional fossil fuel extraction projects but will continue to forestall them through the planning and licensing process, it has announced. MORE
8 ‘Deliberate misreporting’: Ofwat confirms £126m penalty against Southern Water
Serious failures at sewage treatment works and ‘deliberate misreporting’ of their performance have led Ofwat to impose a £126m bill on Southern Water. The package, composed of a direct penalty and customer rebates, was confirmed by the regulator this week. MORE
9 Agriculture Bill dropped ‘again’ after parliament prorogued
Prime minister Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament ahead of a Queen’s Speech next week means progress on the Agriculture Bill will be lost. MORE
10 Offset plans prompt Natural England to withdraw objection to major energy park
A major development is set to be built in East Yorkshire after Natural England accepted plans to offset the destruction of wetland bird habitat. MORE