The Conservative Party plans to announce the abolition of the Environment Agency and Natural England, alongside scrapping affordable homes regulations, as part of a growth-focused policy shift.
Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith will announce the proposals. According to the party, the moves aim to "streamline regulations" that protect nature and require developers to include affordable homes and community services such as GP surgeries. The Conservatives frame the changes as a means to speed up infrastructure and housebuilding.
The policy bundle represents a significant regulatory rollback. The Environment Agency and Natural England are the main UK bodies responsible for environmental protection, flood management, and nature conservation. Scrapping both organizations would eliminate statutory oversight of water quality, waste management, pollution, and species protection. Natural England currently enforces requirements protecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other protected habitats.
On housing, the Conservatives propose removing rules that obligate developers to fund or build affordable homes as part of new projects. These regulations, known as Section 106 obligations, currently require developers to contribute to local infrastructure and affordable housing. Removing them would eliminate a primary mechanism by which local authorities secure affordable units in new developments.
The party has not detailed how environmental protections would function after the Environment Agency is abolished, or which other body, if any, would assume its statutory responsibilities. Similarly, no alternative mechanism for securing affordable housing contributions has been outlined.
Griffith's announcement reflects Conservative strategy to prioritize economic growth and reduce what the party characterizes as regulatory burden on development. The proposals require parliamentary approval to become law.