The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

• what the application is about

• which Environment Agency office you can visit to see the application documents on the public register

• when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

• whether to grant or refuse the application

• what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)

Rural Payments service

You can use the Rural Payments service to:

• register for rural payments
• update your personal and business details
• give someone else (like an agent) permission to act on your behalf
• view your BPS entitlements
• view and print digital maps of your land parcels
• view your previous year’s claim
• apply for Countryside Stewardship, including the Wildlife Offers.

At the moment you cannot:

• transfer entitlements
• transfer or remove land
• edit land use online
• add or delete commons rights
• apply for BPS

How to use the Rural Payments service – help is available

Onscreen ‘Help’ in the service to guide you if you get stuck. Or you can read and print a copy of all the
onscreen Help
(PDF, 2.39MB, 52 pages)

Our videos also show you how to use the service.

Planned maintenance of the Rural Payments service

There are times when the Rural Payments service is unavailable because of essential planned maintenance and updates.
Check Rural Payments: registering and updating your details to keep up to date about availability of the Rural Payments service.

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has £20 million to invest in technologies that support the development of low carbon propulsion technology in the UK and anchor a next-generation supply chain.

The APC is a 10-year, £1 billion joint government and industry commitment. It is designed to accelerate the development of low carbon propulsion technologies and make the UK a global centre of excellence for low carbon vehicle development and production. This is the latest round of funding.

The competition process is delivered by Innovate UK.

Developing low and zero emission technologies in the UK

The APC is particularly looking for projects that support the UK’s long-term capabilities and supply chain in the design, build and manufacture of low-emission vehicle technologies.

Projects must help make capabilities a permanent part of the UK supply chain. They must be in the following areas:

• alternative propulsion systems
• electric machines and power electronics
• energy storage and energy management
• lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures
• thermal propulsion systems

Projects must have a proven technology concept and demonstrate that there is a clear route to market. The primary technology application must be automotive.

Competition information

• the competition opens on 6 August 2018 and the deadline for applications is midday on 3 October 2018
• projects must be led by a business working in partnership with others, and must include an SME and a vehicle manufacturer or tier 1 supplier
• total project costs should range between £5 million and £40 million. They can last between 18 and 42 months
• organisations could attract up to 70% of their project costs
• a briefing event will be held on 16 August 2018 for advice on applying for APC funding

In the NDA’s 2016 Strategy we made a commitment to develop a single radioactive waste strategy for the NDA Group.

We are now seeking views on this single radioactive waste strategy that will apply to all radioactive waste generated within the NDA Group, including materials that may become waste at some point in the future.

The radioactive waste strategy provides:

• a framework for making decisions flexibly, to ensure safe, environmentally acceptable and cost-effective solutions that reflect the nature of the radioactive waste concerned
• a consolidated position and greater clarity of our strategic needs in this area
• promotes cross-category waste management opportunities
• support a risk-based approach to waste management
• an integrated programme for a suitable and timely waste management infrastructure to support the NDA mission

The development of the NDA’s Radioactive Waste Strategy and the integrated approach to waste management it supports is an important input into the government’s Industrial Strategy – Nuclear Sector Deal.

This deal calls for a National Decommissioning and Waste Management Pipeline to give a truly comprehensive view of all major decommissioning and waste management activity across the country. This should promote economic growth through enhanced awareness in the supply chain of opportunities, provide greater resilience in the UK infrastructure and opportunities for inward investment and growth.

The strategy articulates our preferences against each of the waste management lifecycle stages:

• planning and preparation
• treatment and packaging
• storage
• disposal

Andrew Sells today (Friday 26 July) welcomed efforts by the shooting community to safeguard and conserve hundreds of hectares of land for wildlife, when he spoke at the Game Fair. The Chair of Natural England said despite this work “more needs to be done to ensure there is a balance between shooting and conservation.”

He said:

Sustainably-managed shoots are safeguarding wildlife like curlews and lapwings, reducing flood risk and storing carbon.

Natural England will sign a second agreement with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation this weekend placing sustainable land management at the heart of BASC’s mission and recognising that 70 per cent of land managed by those affiliated to the shooting organisation are Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

However, he sounded a note of caution arguing that not all shoots are doing enough to protect the environment from damage.

He said:

Too many shoots seem to have lost sight of the balance between shooting and conservation and the natural environment. Has the size of the day’s bag become the dominant consideration? Are some shoots damaging, rather than enhancing, our natural environment? If so, I hope we can work together to eliminate any such practices.

And the recent terrible wildfires near Manchester have shown moorland managers and keepers bravely joining forces with firefighters to limit environmental damage. I applaud their tireless efforts.

We are also seeing more estates coming into partnership agreements with NE, voluntarily finding ways to enhance environment. These deepening relationships will be vital in joining up prime wildlife sites and achieving goals of 25 Year Environment Plan.