Consultation outcome

Environmental permitting: standard rules consultation number 30

From:
Environment Agency
PublishedPublished:
1 April 2025
Last updatedupdated:
136 AprilAugust 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Standard rules permit consultation number 30: summary of consultation responses

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Detail of outcome

The consultation response document summarises the feedback we received and our response.

Generally, the responses to the consultation support our proposal to produce these standard rule permits for the burial of human remains, and closed loop ground source heating and cooling systems.

We will now review and update the draft permits and generic risk assessments to produce final versions. We plan to publish them on GOV.UK by the end of June 2026.

Original consultation

Summary

We want your views on our proposals for new standard rules permits for new cemetery developments and closed-loop ground source heating and cooling systems.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

This consultation is to seek your views on the proposed new standard rules for:

  • new cemetery developments proposing moderate burial rates
  • new cemetery developments proposing burials into unweathered bedrock
  • new natural burials grounds
  • new closed-loop ground source heating and cooling systems in certain settings

We will also seek your views on the generic risk assessments associated with each standard rules set.

The consultation document explains: 

  • what we are consulting on
  • an overview of the relevant documents
  • the standard permitting process
  • the proposed new standard rules permits
  • how you can respond to the consultation
  • how we will gain your consent and use your information
  • the principles we follow when running this and other consultations

Your response will help us understand:

  • whether the new standard rules permit ensures that the environmental risks posed by this activity are reduced to an acceptable level
  • the positive and negative impacts this could have on businesses
  • what charges to apply to these proposed permits

Documents

Proposals for new standard rules permits for new cemetery developments and closed-loop ground source heating and cooling systems

ODT, 174 KB

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Updates to this page

Published 1 April 2025
Last updated 136 AprilAugust 2026 href="#full-history">+— show Show all updates

  1. We have added information at the start of consultation response document. "The charges proposed in the consultation were updated on 1 April to take account of inflation. The annual uplift (increase) is calculated using the Office for National Statistics’ Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation in the 12 months to September in the immediately preceding year. When proposed standard rules are made on or after 1 April, the appropriate annual uplift amount will be added to the rates shown in the consultation."

  2. Added the consultation response document.

  3. First published.

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