The Environment Agency has granted an environmental permit variation to Drax Power Limited for carbon capture at its bioenergy plant near Selby in Yorkshire. The decision followed multiple consultations and a review of revised emissions risk information, with the regulator concluding that the operator meets the required environmental conditions.
This opinion piece argues that letting agents are becoming increasingly important as landlords face a more complex compliance environment, especially following the Renters’ Rights Act and the end of Section 21. It says agents who proactively manage tenancy paperwork, compliance checks and legislative change can reduce legal risk and should better demonstrate and charge for that value.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on the surrender of non-nuclear radioactive substances activity permits, covering both full and partial surrender. It explains the evidence operators must provide to show radioactive materials and waste have been removed and that necessary measures have been taken to avoid pollution risk before surrender is accepted.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on developing and maintaining a radioactive waste management plan for holders of radioactive substances activity permits dealing with waste from unsealed sources. The guidance sets out expectations for lifecycle planning, use of best available techniques, waste characterisation, record-keeping and maintaining control of radioactive waste until permits are surrendered.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on when non-nuclear radioactive substances activities require an environmental permit, how permits are applied for, and how they can be varied, transferred or surrendered. It explains the distinction between sealed and unsealed sources, and notes that some activities may be out of scope or exempt under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on planning for the decommissioning of sites permitted for radioactive substances activities. It sets out a lifetime-planning approach, with decommissioning plans expected to develop over time and be proportionate to the scale, complexity and hazard of the site.
A solicitor with nearly five decades of practice has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal after admitting multiple conveyancing failings across three transactions. The case involved delayed or failed HM Land Registry registration, unanswered requisitions, breach of an undertaking, and non-cooperation with the SRA investigation, with the tribunal finding the conduct deliberate, repeated and serious.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on the safe use, storage and disposal of sheep dip to reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. It sets out competency, permitting, siting and storage requirements, and warns that misuse can contaminate drinking water sources and lead to prosecution.
Street Group has updated its platform to embed the government’s official Form 4A into the rent review workflow, allowing letting agents to generate, sign and serve rent increase notices for periodic tenancies within one system. The change is intended to reduce manual administration and create a clearer audit trail for compliance purposes.
The First-tier Tribunal has published an updated Form N463 for asking the Administrative Court to urgently consider starting a judicial review. The update includes revised email addresses, a replaced Welsh version, and changes made to reflect amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules on judicial review.
The Environment Agency has updated its Part B1 standard rules permit application form and related guidance for environmental permitting. The changes include new and revised standard rules, updated site plan and technical competence requirements, and structural changes to the form and navigation.
The article argues that achieving legal sector quality accreditations such as Lexcel, CQS and WIQS is significantly easier when firms receive expert support rather than attempting the process alone. It emphasises that the real value of accreditation lies not only in passing assessment, but in building sustainable risk management, supervision and quality systems into day-to-day practice.
