The Environment Agency recently undertook a consultation in 2025 regarding Standard Rules Permits. This specifically related to new cemeteries, natural burial grounds and closed-loop ground source heating and cooling systems (CL-GHSC). The ICCM submitted detailed feedback on behalf of our members during this consultation period and the summary of responses have now been published here:
The result of this consultation will lead to several alterations to the original proposals including:
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The restriction of burials close to swallow holes, sink holes or similar natural features (under a Standard Rules Permit for cemeteries allowing burials into unweathered bedrock).
- Clarification that there is no current legal definition for a ‘natural burial ground’.
- Amend conditions relating to temperature and flow monitoring of Thermal Transfer Fluid, whilst developing guidance on heat input conditions and making such guidance more transparent.
With plans to publish the final guidance in late June this year, the ICCM will follow up with further details and distribute final guidance and documents to members during this time.
The ICCM Team
