Coal-fired plant permits no longer need proof of pollution standards plan

Environmental lawyers' group says unlawful Environment Agency permits have dropped important requirements

Scores of Britain's coal-fired power stations, steel plants and iron works will no longer have to maintain a plan to show they will meet air pollution standards under the latest permits issued by the government.

ClientEarth, a group of environment lawyers who last year successfully sued the government over air pollution, said the permits deleted a condition that required the plants' operators to publish air quality management plans and to assess how much they might damage protected nature areas.