Thomson Environmental Consultants’ Daniel Reynolds outlines the firm’s 2026 environmental compliance checklist and the key regulatory changes UK developers need to prepare for.
Thomson Environmental Consultants is an environmental consultancy that supports developers, contractors, planners and landowners with environmental advice, assessments and compliance actions to help projects move forward responsibly and legally. Daniel Reynolds is Director of Business Development at the firm, working closely with organisations navigating environmental regulation across the UK.
Please introduce yourself and tell us about Thomson Environmental Consultants.
We’re an environmental consultancy that supports developers, contractors, planners and landowners with environmental advice, assessments and compliance actions to help them move projects forward responsibly and legally.
Why have you produced a 2026 environmental compliance checklist?
We’re an environmental consultancy that supports developers, contractors, planners and landowners with environmental advice, assessments and compliance actions to help them move projects forward responsibly and legally.
We produced this environmental compliance checklist to provide businesses with a clear, practical breakdown of the latest regulatory updates for 2026. Environmental legislation is constantly evolving and so this checklist helps organisations stay compliant, reduce risk and plan ahead with confidence.
Why have you produced a 2026 environmental compliance checklist?
We’re an environmental consultancy that supports developers, contractors, planners and landowners with environmental advice, assessments and compliance actions to help them move projects forward responsibly and legally.
We produced this environmental compliance checklist to provide businesses with a clear, practical breakdown of the latest regulatory updates for 2026. Environmental legislation is constantly evolving and so this checklist helps organisations stay compliant, reduce risk and plan ahead with confidence.
What does environmental compliance mean in the UK context?
Environmental compliance means adhering to laws, regulations, and standards regarding the environment. Being environmentally compliant ensures your business and its activities avoid or mitigate potential impacts on the surrounding land, air, and water.
Government bodies such as the Environment Agency and Natural England enforce these rules.
Why is it important for developers to be aware of key compliance dates and changes?
Legislation is often introduced through phased rollouts, policy transitions, and staggered enforcement dates. It’s crucial to understand and be on top of when these changes might take effect, as it allows developers to plan ahead, consider project timelines, and avoid last-minute slip ups that can be costly and disruptive.
If you’re not compliant, this can lead to enforcement action, financial penalties and development delays.
What are some of the key environmental compliance updates expected in 2026?
They can all be found in our compliance checklist, but some examples are below:
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025
The Climate Change Levy (CCL) in 2026
BNG for NSIPs from May 2026
Flood Risk Activity Permits (FRAPs) changes in 2026
BS 5837 (Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition & Construction) 2026
Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) 2026
How can businesses achieve environmental compliance effectively?
Businesses can achieve compliance by conducting risk assessments, monitoring and reporting environmental impacts, but ultimately engaging with environmental consultancies like us is a good place to start.
What types of projects typically require environmental compliance?
Most development projects will require compliance with environmental legislation and best practice, including avoiding impacts on protected sites local to the development, protecting habitats and protected species, and building in biodiversity net gain for newly developed sites.
What are the risks of non-compliance?
Anything from enforcement notices, fines, criminal prosecutions, asset confiscation, project shutdowns, permit revocation, and, ultimately, reputational damage.
Why is remaining compliant so important in the environmental space?
It’s important because regulations are designed to protect people, communities, and the environment, helping prevent instances of pollution, habitat loss, and long-term environmental harm.
Does environmental compliance affect project cost and timelines?
Yes, it can increase cost at the start, but remaining compliant mitigates severe penalties further down the line, which in turn, could have even larger costs and consequences.
