Recommendation 23

Given the weak impact assessment of the NRF, we ask the Government to prepare a regulatory assessment of the NRF, if and when it is adopted. This assessment should be completed before Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB) is brought into force and should set out details of how it is to be implemented, such as timelines and actions to be taken by relevant stakeholders. We encourage the OEP to monitor and regularly report on the implementation of the PIB once in statute, including on 89 how successful it is at safeguarding protected habitats and species, the application of the overall improvement test, compliance with the EPPS Duty and the non-regression statement on the face of the Bill. (Recommendation, Paragraph 91)