FROM EIAs TO EORs: UNDERSTANDING THE TRANSITION TO ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES REPORTS

With the recent arrival of Sarah Dauncey to the Evolve Team, who specialises in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Sarah provides an overview of the current understanding of EORs, what is being proposed and why and importantly what are the next steps and likely implications for developers, local authority and environmental consultants.

What are EORs and Why are they being Proposed?

Essentially, the long-established Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for planning applications, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for plans and programmes and existing assessment requirements for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are intending to be replaced by a new framework: Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs).

This shift represents more than a change in terminology — it could be a fundamental rethinking of how environmental matters are assessed, considered, monitored and reported within the planning system.

The current EIA and SEA regimes have been criticised for becoming highly procedural, often resulting in lengthy Environmental Statements which often fail to communicate clearly whether a project delivers positive environmental outcomes. The Government’s ambition is to move away from a compliance-driven process towards one that asks a different question:

“Will this proposal contribute positively towards nationally defined environmental outcomes?”

The new EOR framework therefore seeks to shift from documenting impacts to measuring performance against defined measurable environmental outcomes, supported by improved data, monitoring and post-consent evaluation. These outcomes, supported by indicators, are proposed to be set nationally in secondary legislation, with the potential for local tailoring where appropriate.

The Government has also indicated that the new system should maintain or improve current levels of environmental protection while making assessments more proportionate and easier to navigate, aligning with the Government’s wider ambition to simplify the planning system and strengthen environmental protections through clearer, more transparent reporting.

How the Changes will be implemented

The legislative foundation for EORs was established through Part 6 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA). Rather than introducing EORs immediately, LURA created the enabling powers allowing Government to replace the existing environmental assessment regimes through secondary legislation.

A Government consultation on the “principles” of the new regime was held between March and June in 2023 which sparked much debate and interest from those in the industry. Following nearly 3 years of deafening silence with only small murmurings of EOR, in March 2026, the Government published the summary of that consultation, along with their long awaited ‘Environmental Outcomes Reports: Roadmap to reform’.

Whilst somewhat lacking in detail concerning its practical application, the Roadmap at least confirmed EORs remain a key element of wider planning reform and that a phased approached is to be implemented, ultimately seeking EORs to be introduced by the end of 2027 (Subject to consultation outcomes and parliamentary approval), as follows:

Phase 1 – Setting Outcomes

The first phase focuses on developing the framework and establishing the foundations by:

· defining the environmental outcomes;

· engaging with environmental experts, stakeholders and industry;

· developing guidance;

· preparing draft regulations; and

· designing data and monitoring requirements.

Phase 2 – Reforming the Process

Phase 2 will focus on drafting and consulting on regulations that underpin how EORs will operate in practice. In parallel to the work on outcomes and indicators, the government will be developing the structures and procedures that will implement EOR and will seek views on guidance, including EOR templates.

Phase 3 – Transition and testing period

Phase 3 will focus on laying Statutory Instruments before testing and rolling out. The Government intends to undertake pilot projects to understand how EORs will operate in practice before national implementation. A transition period is likely.

What Does This Mean for Developers, Local Authorities and Environmental Consultants?

Until a new system is implemented, current legislation on environmental assessment and its supporting guidance continues to apply. For developers, planning authorities and environmental consultants, the immediate message is straightforward: continue preparing EIA and SEA documents under the current legislative framework while monitoring the development of EORs.

Practical questions on the day to day working of EOR remain unanswered until draft secondary legislation and guidance are produced, however what is clear is that the transition to EORs will require adjustments in how environmental information is gathered, presented and monitored. Specifically moving away from “have we assessed the impacts” to “have we delivered better environmental outcomes”?

If the Government is to achieve its aim, future environmental assessments should:

· focus on delivering measurable environmental outcomes;

· make greater use of existing environmental data;

· reduce duplication between technical disciplines;

· provide clearer monitoring and adaptive management after consent; and

· become more proportionate according to the scale and significance of development.

In practice, this means assessments should become more targeted, more consistent and easier for decision-makers and communities to understand.

Looking Ahead and How Evolve Planning Can Help

Whilst the Government maintain their vision for the reform, the success of the new regime and understanding the practical implications for planning deliverables will highly depend on the detail of the forthcoming regulations, guidance and environmental outcomes themselves.

With implementation targeted for the end of 2027, the next 18 to 24 months will be critical and the planning and environmental sectors will have an important role in shaping the new framework through consultation and pilot projects. Evolve are excited to be a part of this evolution of environmental assessment and ultimately being able to identify implications for our clients at an early stage. If you have any queries regarding EIA or EOR matters, feel free to reach out to Sarah who will be happy to discuss on 01889 504136 or sarah@evolvepad.co.uk