The Lower Thames Crossing is the first major building project where a new scheme to cut environmental red tape will be put to the test, ministers have announced. The project, which will link Tilbury in Essex and Gravesend in Kent with two tunnels, is the first infrastructure scheme where a lead environmental regulator will be appointed. Under the new approach, Natural England will oversee all environmental safeguarding work, while other watchdogs with an interest - the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation - will give advice. The system is aimed at cutting the time it takes to meet planning permission requirements and approvals for environmental plans.

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