Do I need permission to fell trees or remove hedgerows?
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UK Act of Parliament
1995
United Kingdom
Environment Act 1995
At a glance
What's here
50 compliance obligations, 4 practical guides · 2 journeys · 37 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
6 of 50 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 6 carry different penalties and 38 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 12
- Operator 1
- Occupier 1
Plus 36 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Start a manufacturing business
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Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Other Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Operators also bound by 125 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 71 duties
- Payment Services Regulations 2017 2017 41 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 34 duties
- The Quarries Regulations 1999 1999 31 duties
- Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 2015 22 duties
Occupiers also bound by 101 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England/Wales comparison) 2005 23 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 21 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 15 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 13 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 12 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — The Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
General functions with respect to pollution control.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environmental agencies must monitor and control pollution Statutory regulator
General provisions with respect to water.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales must manage water and fisheries Statutory regulator
General environmental and recreational duties.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency and Ministers must protect the environment and heritage Statutory regulator
Duty of the Agency to cooperate with the Natural Resources Body for Wales
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency must cooperate and coordinate with Natural Resources Wales Statutory regulator
Regional flood defence committees.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency must maintain regional offices for flood defence Statutory regulator
Composition of regional flood defence committees.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ministers and Councils must appoint qualified members to flood committees Crown / Minister / Government department
Local flood defence schemes and local flood defence committees.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency may create local flood defence schemes and committees Statutory regulator
Composition of local flood defence committees.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regional flood defence committees must correctly compose local committees Statutory regulator
General purpose of SEPA
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- SEPA must protect the environment and support sustainable Scottish growth Statutory regulator
Transfer of property, rights and liabilities to SEPA.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must transfer assets and liabilities to SEPA Crown / Minister / Government department
Power of SEPA to obtain information about land.
Unlimited fine- Fail to provide land information to SEPA Occupier
General environmental and recreational duties.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- SEPA and Secretary of State must consider heritage and public access Statutory regulator
General duties as respects the state of the environment and effects of pollution.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- SEPA must monitor and manage environmental pollution in Scotland Statutory regulator
General duties with respect to water.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- SEPA must promote water conservation and natural beauty in Scotland Statutory regulator
Incidental general functions.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency and SEPA may provide paid advice and research Statutory regulator
General duty of the new Agencies Agency to have regard to costs and benefits in exercising powers.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency must consider costs and benefits when using powers Statutory regulator
Approval of charging schemes.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must consult and notify before setting new environmental charges Statutory regulator
Accounts and records.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency and SEPA must maintain proper accounts and records Statutory regulator
Audit: SEPA
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- SEPA must submit annual accounts to Scottish Ministers for auditing Statutory regulator
Government guarantees of a new Agency’s borrowing.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister may guarantee Agency borrowing and must report to Parliament Crown / Minister / Government department
Annual report.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency and SEPA must submit annual activity reports Statutory regulator
Browse 44 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Environment Agency.
Transfer of functions to the Agency.
Transfer of property, rights and liabilities to the Agency.
Principal aim and objectives of the Agency.
Environmental duties with respect to sites of special interest.
Codes of practice with respect to environmental and recreational duties.
Incidental functions of the Agency and the Natural Resources Body for Wales.
Advisory committee for Wales.
Environment protection advisory committees.
Regional and local fisheries advisory committees.
Change of composition of regional flood defence committee.
Power to alter composition of regional flood defence committees in Wales
Effect of order under section 16A
Power to revoke local flood defence schemes
Membership and proceedings of flood defence committees.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Transfer of functions to SEPA.
Functions of staff commission.
Consultation with respect to drainage works.
Assessing flood risk.
Power of SEPA to purchase land compulsorily.
Power of SEPA to promote or oppose private legislation.
Procedure relating to making of byelaws.
Records held by SEPA.
Guidance on SEPA 's general purpose and on sustainable development and other aims and objectives.
Environmental duties as respects Natural Heritage Areas and sites of special interest.
Codes of practice with respect to environmental and recreational duties.
Delegation of functions by Ministers etc. to the new Agencies.
Ministerial directions to the new Agencies.
Power to make schemes imposing charges.
Charges in respect of the EU greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme
Charging schemes in respect of abstraction and impounding licences: joint charging schemes
Charging schemes in respect of abstraction and impounding licences: cross-border arrangements
Incidental power of the new Agencies to impose charges.
General financial duties.
Audit.
Grants to the new Agencies.
Borrowing powers.
Government loans to the new Agencies.
Provision of information by the new Agencies.
Inquiries and other hearings.
Appearance in legal proceedings.
Continuity of exercise of functions: the new Agencies.
Interpretation of Part I.
Part II — Contaminated Land and Abandoned Mines
Abandoned mines: England and Wales.
- Notify the Environment Agency before abandoning a mine Operator
Abandoned mines: Scotland.
Unlimited fine- Failure to notify SEPA of a proposed mine abandonment Any Person
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part III — National Parks
National Park Management Plans.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- National Park authorities must create and review Management Plans Local authority
Browse 24 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Purposes of National Parks.
Duty of certain bodies and persons to have regard to the purposes for which National Parks are designated.
Establishment of National Park authorities.
National Park authorities in Wales.
General purposes and powers.
English National Park authorities: general powers
Boundaries of powers under section 65A
Power to make provision supplemental to section 65A
Procedure etc for regulations under section 65C
National Park Management Plans (England): further provision
Regulations under section 66A: procedure etc
National Park authority to be local planning authority.
Planning authority functions under National Parks legislation etc.
Planning authority functions under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Other statutory functions.
National Park authorities to be levying bodies.
National Park grant.
Capital finances and borrowing.
Validation of certain grants paid to local authorities in respect of expenditure relating to National Parks.
Powers to make orders.
Agreements as to incidental matters.
Isles of Scilly.
Minor and consequential amendments relating to National Parks.
Interpretation of Part III.
Part IV — Air Quality
Functions of the new Agencies.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environmental Agencies must follow the national air quality strategy Statutory regulator
Functions of relevant public authorities etc
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Public and local authorities must consider the air quality strategy Crown / Minister / Government department
Local authority reviews.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must review air quality and identify emission sources Local authority
Duties of Welsh local authorities in relation to designated areas
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh local authorities must create and maintain air quality action plans Local authority
Duty of air quality partners to co-operate
- Air quality partners must cooperate with local authorities Any Person
Role of air quality partners in relation to action plans
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must notify air quality partners of new action plans Local authority
Role of the Mayor of London in relation to action plans.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Mayor of London must provide air quality measures for local action plans Crown / Minister / Government department
Role of combined county authorities in relation to action plans
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Combined county authorities must propose air quality measures to local councils Local authority
Regulations for the purposes of Part IV.
Unlimited fine- Breach of air quality regulations Any Person
Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
National air quality strategy.
Duty to report on air quality in England
Functions of relevant Welsh public authorities etc.
Designation of air quality management areas.
Duties of English local authorities in relation to designated areas
Duties of Scottish ... local authorities in relation to designated areas.
Reserve powers of the Secretary of State or SEPA.
Functions of county councils for areas for which there are district councils.
Role of combined authorities in relation to action plans
s.88
s.89
Supplemental provisions.
Interpretation of Part IV.
Part V — Miscellaneous, General and Supplemental Provisions
Producer responsibility: offences.
Unlimited fine- Breach producer responsibility requirements Any Person
Hedgerows.
Unlimited fine- Unlawful removal or destruction of a hedgerow Any Person
Grants in connection with drainage works.
Amended 1 timeSea fisheries.
Amended 1 timePowers of enforcing authorities and persons authorised by them.
Amended 105 timesProcedure where documents removed
2 years imprisonment Amended 105 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must provide records and access to seized documents Statutory regulator
Power to deal with cause of imminent danger of serious pollution etc.
Amended 3 timesPower to issue restriction notices: England and Wales
2 years imprisonment Amended 3 times- Breach of a waste facility restriction notice Any Person
Cancellation or variation of restriction notices
Amended 3 timesService of restriction notices etc.
Amended 3 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Authorised persons must properly serve and display restriction notices Statutory regulator
Power of court to make restriction orders: England and Wales
2 years imprisonment Amended 3 times- Breach of a court-ordered waste restriction or medical access order Any Person
Temporary orders
Amended 3 timesExtension of restriction orders
Amended 3 timesVariation or discharge of restriction orders
Amended 3 timesEnforcement of restriction orders
Amended 3 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must display restriction orders and may secure premises Statutory regulator
Appeals against decisions on restriction orders
Amended 3 timesAccess to other premises
Amended 3 timesRecovery of costs
Amended 3 timesExemption from liability
Amended 3 timesCompensation
Amended 3 timesInterpretation
Amended 3 timesOffences.
Amended 19 timesSearch and seizure of vehicles, etc.
Amended 19 timesOffences of obstructing, not co-operating, etc.
Unlimited fine Amended 19 times- Obstructing or misleading environmental officials Any Person
Handling of seized property
Amended 19 timesPower to apply enforcement powers in respect of offences
Amended 19 timesEvidence in connection with certain pollution offences.
Amended 11 timesAmendment of certain offences relating to false or misleading statements or false entries.
2 years imprisonment- Making false or misleading environmental statements Any Person
Disclosure of information.
Amended 19 times- Protect trade secrets and confidential information when sharing data Any Person
Power of Secretary of State to delegate his functions of determining, or to refer matters involved in, appeals.
Amended 34 timesApplication of this Act to the Crown.
Amended 2 timesApplication of certain other enactments to the Crown.
Amended 2 timesApplication of certain other enactments to the Isles of Scilly.
Amended 3 timesStamp duty.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must certify documents for stamp duty exemption Crown / Minister / Government department
Minor and consequential amendments, transitional and transitory provisions, savings and repeals.
Amended 10 timesDirections.
Amended 8 timesService of documents.
Amended 7 timesBrowse 17 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
National waste strategy.
Producer responsibility: general.
Producer responsibility: supplementary provisions.
Producer responsibility: competition matters.
Mineral planning permissions
Grants for purposes conducive to conservation.
Consultation before making or modifying certain subordinate legislation for England.
Meaning of “drainage” in certain enactments.
Other marine or aquatic environmental conservation powers.
Fixed penalty system for certain fisheries offences.
Minor and consequential amendments relating to fisheries.
Control of pollution of water in Scotland.
Statutory nuisances: Scotland.
Application of this Act to the Isles of Scilly.
Local statutory provisions: consequential amendments etc.
General interpretation.
Short title, commencement, extent, etc.
Schedules
National Park authorities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult local councils on National Park appointments Crown / Minister / Government department
Schedule 2A to the Environmental Protection Act 1990
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must ensure safe and sustainable national waste management Crown / Minister / Government department
Pollution of rivers and coastal waters in Scotland: amendment of the Control of Pollution Act 1974
2 years imprisonment- Pollute controlled waters or impede water flow Any Person
Air Quality: Supplemental Provisions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must consult business representatives on air quality plans Local authority
Supplemental provisions with respect to powers of entry
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators may obtain and use warrants to enter premises by force Statutory regulator
Offences relating to false or misleading statements or false entries
2 years imprisonment- Provide false or misleading environmental information or records Any Person
Browse 18 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Transfers of property etc: supplemental provisions
Supplemental and incidental powers of National Park authorities
Minor and consequential amendments relating to National Parks
Minor and consequential amendments relating to fisheries
Delegation of appellate functions of the Secretary of State
Application of certain enactments to the Crown
Minor and consequential amendments
Repeals and revocations
The Environment Agency
Environment protection advisory committees
Boundaries of regional flood defence areas
Membership and proceedings of regional and local flood defence committees
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Miscellaneous statutory functions of National Park authorities
Review of Old Mineral Planning Permissions
Periodic Review of Mineral Planning Permissions
Statutory nuisances: Scotland
Transitional and transitory provisions and savings
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Apply for a Part A(1) environmental permit (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Medium combustion plant permits (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees - planning advice (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Hedgerow regulation and management (GOV.UK guidance) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK BNG guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Find local council (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- New nuclear power plants: Generic design assessment guidance for requesting parties (opens in a new tab) from Environment Agency Publication
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Environment Agency
PrimaryEnvironmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …
North Sea Transition Authority
Licenses and regulates the UK oil and gas, offshore hydrogen, and carbon storage industries. Issues petroleum production licences and CO2 storage licences. …
Marine Management Organisation
Licenses marine activities in English waters, including construction, dredging, and deposits at sea. Issues marine licences for offshore renewable energy projects below …
Office for Environmental Protection
Independent body established post-Brexit to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints about public authorities' failures to comply with environmental law in England …
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scotland's principal environmental regulator. Protects and improves Scotland's environment. Issues environmental permits for waste, emissions, water abstraction, and radioactive substances. Enforces environmental …
Connected legislation
37 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (37)
- The Special Waste Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2004 2004
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement and Saving Provision) (Wales) Order 2001 2001
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 16 and Saving Provision) (England) Order 2000 2000
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 17 and Savings Provision) (Scotland) Order 2000 2000
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 18) (England and Wales) Order 2000 2000
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 18) (Scotland) Order 2000 2000
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 19) (Scotland) Order 2000 2000
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 20 and Saving Provision) (Wales) Order 2001 2001
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 21) (Scotland) Order 2003 2003
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 22) (Scotland) Order 2004 2004
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 23) (England and Wales) Order 2006 2006
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 24) (Scotland) Order 2015 2015
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 25) Order 2017 2017
- The Environment Act 1995 (Commencement No. 26) Order 2020 2020
- The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 2012
+ 22 more statutory instruments
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Regulators
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