The government has announced reforms to environmental regulations in an effort to speed up housebuilding in England.
Water and flooding minister Emma Hardy revealed changes that aim to reduce waiting times for environmental permits, which could save builders up to 16 weeks.
Under the new reforms, builders will be able to move forward with projects, conducting site investigations and installing drainage channels, without being held up by permit approvals.
The government believes there has "been strong support for proposals for a more proportionate and common-sense attitude to environmental permits"
Author's summary: Government reforms aim to boost housebuilding by reducing environmental permit waiting times.