Update

R13Proportionality in EIA regime
Progress
DCO acceptance guidance affirms Rochdale Envelope approach

New MHCLG guidance on the acceptance stage of DCO applications (published 3 July 2026) affirms that applications may still be accepted where limited further targeted or confirmatory environmental information is anticipated, based on desk-top studies, professional judgement and reasonable worst-case assumptions. This reflects the Rochdale Envelope principle in Recommendation 13 and provides a practical interim advance while the full Environmental Outcome Reports reform is delivered by December 2027.

guidance_published
Source: GuidanceMHCLG, 3 July 2026

Impact on Overall Status

Confidence changed to: high
Rochdale Envelope affirmed in DCO guidance; EOR reform remains on track for December 2027.
Recommendation Context
Chapter: Chapter 7: Environmental Assessments & Permitting
Owner: MHCLG
Current Status: On Track
View full recommendation

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DCO acceptance guidance affirms Rochdale Envelope approach | R13 | Nuclear Taskforce Tracker