England’s planning reform has activated a new route to fund nature recovery alongside development. From 19 December 2025, Natural England can begin preparing Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) that will underpin a nature restoration levy paid by developers. The broader package, including stronger duties and reporting, starts on 18 February 2026.

EDPs are formal plans prepared by Natural England and made by the Secretary of State. Each plan identifies which environmental features are at risk from certain kinds of development in a defined area, the conservation measures to address those risks, and the levy that will fund delivery. Crucially, where a developer opts into an EDP and pays the levy, specified environmental obligations are discharged at a strategic scale rather than on a project-by-project basis.

Government guidance confirms how this will work in practice. Defra’s implementation plan says Natural England will draft EDPs and, once approved, developers can pay a levy into the Nature Restoration Fund instead of arranging separate mitigations for the features covered. Ministers say the first EDPs will launch in 2026, initially targeting nutrient pollution in affected catchments.

Key dates matter. The commencement regulations made on 18 December 2025 brought into force the EDP-building powers the very next day, enabling early preparation. Wider provisions-such as development corporation duties on sustainable development and climate change, changes to nationally significant infrastructure policy statements, and some streamlined compulsory purchase processes-begin on 18 February 2026.

Two statutory guardrails are already in play. First, a general duty applies when exercising functions connected to EDPs. Second, all public authorities now have a duty to co‑operate with Natural England and provide reasonable assistance in preparing and implementing an EDP. That means councils, agencies and infrastructure bodies should plan to share data and align delivery timetables.

Alignment with existing local nature work is essential. The government’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 and the roll‑out of 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) set a clear direction; EDPs are expected to draw on those maps, priorities and partnerships. Defra says LNRS publication was due by the end of 2025 or shortly after, with Natural England support throughout.

For councils, the next six weeks are a preparation window. Identify a single EDP lead, map which pipelines (housing, roads, utilities) might use an EDP, and line up evidence-especially baseline habitat condition, pressures and feasible conservation actions-so you are ready when Natural England notifies draft plans for consultation. The Local Government Association advises that consultations should allow time for meaningful resident input and that levy funding should follow any local duties arising from an EDP.

For developers, the levy will change the cost profile rather than remove responsibilities. Viability work should assume EDP charging schedules where available, while recognising limits: EDPs will not cover every impact or area, and irreplaceable habitats are out of scope. Natural England has indicated that EDPs will be evidence‑led, time‑bound (up to 10 years), publicly consulted and approved by ministers before use.

Accountability is built in. From 1 April 2026, Natural England must publish annual reports listing which EDPs are in force or in preparation, summarising levy income and spend, and setting out any amendments or revocations. This transparency will allow councils, investors and communities to track whether conservation measures are keeping pace with development.

Scale is the challenge-and the opportunity. The Green Finance Institute estimates a multi‑year funding gap for UK nature running to tens of billions of pounds, with central estimates including £19bn for biodiversity and £8bn for clean water outcomes. The levy will not fill this alone, but it can provide a predictable revenue stream to crowd in private and public co‑finance.

Design quality will determine credibility. Press reporting on earlier nutrient credit schemes shows modest results to date, underscoring the need for robust science, clear targets and strong delivery partners for the first EDPs. Early plans focused on nutrient pollution should demonstrate measurable improvements in water quality and habitat condition to win trust.

The economic case for getting this right is strong. The Office for National Statistics values the UK’s annual ecosystem services at £41bn in 2023, with £10bn from recreation and tourism alone and sizeable benefits from urban cooling and health. Strategic, catchment‑scale restoration funded through EDPs can protect these benefits while unblocking well‑planned development.