Chapter 7Environmental Assessments & Permitting
R22On Track

Commence proportionate regulatory control of radioactively contaminated structures

Proportionate regulatory control for decommissioning

Full Recommendation Text

DESNZ to commence sections 303 and 304 of the Energy Act 2023 and propose additional secondary legislation amending the Environmental Permitting Regulations so that the legislation is in place by December 2026.

Given the statutory and long-term nature of the NDA and its mission, government should mandate the NDA to undertake work with the regulators to propose a more suitable and flexible policy, and a more proportionate legislative and regulatory regime with respect to site end-states.

Update Timeline
On Track

Government Response: Energy Act 2023 section 304 already commenced

Section 304 of the Energy Act 2023 was commenced in December 2025, ahead of the Taskforce's target date. DESNZ is convening stakeholders within six months to progress implementation. The Government is also continuing to explore commencement of section 303, which would provide the secondary legislation framework. This recommendation is well advanced, with concrete delivery already underway.

Policy Paper • DESNZ, March 2026
Section 304 already commenced in December 2025; stakeholder engagement progressing.
Ownership

Primary Owner

DESNZ

Key Regulators

ONREnvironment Agency
Delivery Timeline
31 Dec 26

Taskforce target: December 2026

Scope

Sectors

civil

Domains

decommissioningpermitting
Implementation Type
secondary legislation
Dependencies

Enables

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