Define proportionate Outline Planning Zones and Detailed Emergency Planning Zones under REPPIR19
Proportionate OPZs and DEPZs
ONR and UKHSA should be asked to calculate revised default Outline Planning Zones (OPZs) for reactors of differing types and sizes, based on best scientific information. These would not prevent developers from proposing smaller OPZs if warranted. This should, in turn, be used to amend the default distances in Schedule 5 of REPPIR19. Regulations should further be amended that distances in excess of the new defaults cannot be imposed without the consent of the Secretary of State or Commission (if established).
Government should amend the regulations to allow for an appeals process to the Secretary of State or the Commission (if established) in the event of local authority determinations on DEPZs which are disputed. In addition, regulation 8 of REPPIR19 should be amended to impose a fixed time limit of 12 weeks for determination and only allow re-determination with the consent of the ONR, or the Commission (if established).
Government Response: Alternative OPZ arrangements and REPPIR19 reform
Policy delivery is already underway. Experts have identified alternative OPZ arrangements, and options are being prepared for both GW-scale and SMR/AMR reactors. The Government will amend REPPIR19 and introduce an appeals process for disputed DEPZ determinations. This aligns closely with the Taskforce recommendation and demonstrates that technical groundwork has progressed ahead of the formal response, giving confidence in the December 2026 delivery timeline.
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Taskforce target: December 2026
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