The Court of Appeal has held that if the Government’s interpretation of the Paris Agreement is “tenable” the courts will not interfere – Six Pump Court

‘The case concerned the UK Government’s approval of UK Export Finance’s (“UKEF”) $1.15 billion investment in a liquified natural gas project in Mozambique. UKEF is the Government’s export credit agency and its aim is to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance from the private sector.’

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Six Pump Court, 16th January 2024

Source: 6pumpcourt.co.uk

Southern Water fined £330,000 for stream pollution that killed 2,000 fish – The Guardian

‘A water company has been fined £330,000 after raw sewage escaped into a stream in Hampshire for up to 20 hours, killing about 2,000 fish including brown trout.’

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The Guardian, 27th February 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Campaigners lose another challenge over Stonehenge tunnel plan – The Independent

Posted February 20th, 2024 in environmental protection, monuments, news, planning, roads by tracey

‘Campaigners have lost a High Court challenge over renewed plans to build a road tunnel near Stonehenge.’

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The Independent, 19th February 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Legal challenge over plans to relax sewage laws for housebuilders in England – The Guardian

‘The government is facing a legal challenge over plans to permit housebuilders in England to allow sewage pollution “through the back door”.’

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The Guardian, 13th February 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Water bosses in England and Wales face bonus bans for illegal sewage discharges – The Guardian

‘Ministers are to ban bonuses for water company bosses in England and Wales who fail to prevent illegal sewage spills that pollute rivers, lakes and seas.’

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The Guardian, 11th February 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Environmental watchdog criticises Government over lack of monitoring and transparency – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has attacked the Government over a lack of transparency in measures to protect the environment.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 25th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

UN expert condemns UK crackdown on environmental protest – The Guardian

‘A severe crackdown on environmental protest in Britain with “draconian” new laws, excessive restrictions on courtroom evidence and the use of civil injunctions is having a chilling impact on fundamental freedoms, the United Nations special rapporteur has said.’

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The Guardian, 23rd January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government facing legal challenge over withdrawal of active travel statutory guidance – Local Government Lawyer

‘A judicial review challenge of the Department for Transport’s decision to withdraw active travel guidance supporting travel by foot and bicycle has been launched.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th January 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Gas drilling at site in Jeremy Hunt’s Surrey constituency given green light – The Guardian

‘Gas drilling at a site in the Surrey Hills can go ahead after the court of appeal ruled that no further attempts to stop the project could be brought to court.’

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The Guardian, 9th January 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sizewell C nuclear plant project upheld by Court of Appeal – BBC News

‘Government approval of the planned Sizewell C nuclear plant was lawful, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

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BBC News, 20th December 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Envrionmental Law News Update – Six Pump Court

‘COP 28 is due to begin on Thursday and already it is not without controversy. First leaked documents have, according to the BBC, revealed plans that the United Arab Emirates had as host of the UN climate talks to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations, including commercial opportunities for its state renewable energy company with the UK.’

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Six Pump Court, 30th November 2023

Source: 6pumpcourt.co.uk

Toxic Torts – Law Pod UK

‘Join chemist Professor Roy Harrison and environmental law silk David Hart, for a review of recent personal injury lawsuits where claimants seek damages for exposure to toxic substances. Despite the technical challenges, this litigation is key to environmental protection.’

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Law Pod UK, 18th December 2023

Source: audioboom.com

Defra’s generic plan for river clean up unlawful – local focus on water bodies needed – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted December 19th, 2023 in environmental protection, fisheries, news, pollution, regulations, water by tracey

‘This interesting case concerns a problem endemic to the manner of regulating water bodies under the Water Framework Directive and the regulations passed under it.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 15th December 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Dog owner fined for chopping down historic apple trees ‘making pet sick and attracting wasps’ – The Independent

Posted December 4th, 2023 in environmental protection, fines, local government, news, trees by tracey

‘A dog owner illegally chopped down three apple trees in his back garden because he said the fallen fruit was making his pet sick and attracting wasps.’

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The Independent, 2nd December 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Chris Packham launches legal challenge over UK’s watering down of climate policies – The Guardian

‘Chris Packham has filed a high court legal challenge to the UK government over its decision to weaken key climate policies.’

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The Guardian, 4th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Biodiversity net gain and planning permission – Local Government Lawyer

‘A refusal of planning permission for a quarry has been quashed over an error on biodiversity net gain. Jenny Wigley KC looks at the lessons from the case.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st December 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Coal: UK’s last opencast mine shuts after legal row – BBC News

Posted November 30th, 2023 in energy, environmental protection, miners, news, waste by sally

‘The UK’s last opencast coalmine will close later as fears mount over whether the massive site will be restored.’

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BBC News, 30th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Elf Bar vape adverts banned in UK over ‘greener’ recycling claims – The Guardian

Posted November 29th, 2023 in advertising, complaints, environmental protection, news, ombudsmen, pollution by sally

‘Adverts for the vaping company Elf Bar have been banned after using the slogan “recycling for a greener future” over concern they were misleading because of the environmental damage of discarded vapes.’

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The Guardian, 29th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Permitted development and the Habitats Regulations 2017 – Local Government Lawyer

‘Anne Gerzon explains how the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 apply to the deemed grant of planning permission set out in the General Permitted Development Order 2015.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 24th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

How new UK laws affect ‘nationally significant infrastructure projects’ – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 23rd, 2023 in consultations, energy, environmental protection, news, planning by sally

‘Major new legislation recently enacted in the UK will impact developers seeking to deliver “nationally significant infrastructure projects” (NSIPs) in the years ahead.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com