THERESA May's Government wants to “co-design” with the Scottish Government a new system of environmental protections to maintain green standards across the whole of the UK after Brexit.

Today, Whitehall outlined its plans, which include creating a new, independent, statutory watchdog to hold UK ministers to account on the environment and maintain standards once the UK withdraws from the EU.

New legislation will ensure environmental protections are not weakened as the UK quits the European Union and the new body will hold Government departments to account for looking after landscapes and nature.

The plans being put out for consultation look at environmental governance in England and areas where Westminster has responsibility across the UK.

But the Department for the Environment said it was exploring with the devolved administrations to see if they wanted to take a similar approach, noting: “We would welcome the opportunity to co-design proposals with them to ensure they work across the whole UK, taking account of the different government and legal systems in the individual nations.”

Environmental measures from improving air and water quality and protecting endangered species are currently overseen by the European Commission and underpinned by green principles across the EU, such as "the polluter pays".

Wildlife and green groups have called for a watchdog "with teeth" to ensure protection of the natural world is not reduced after Brexit.

Under the plans, a new body could provide scrutiny and advice on environmental laws and policy and respond to complaints about the Government over green rules.

And it could hold ministers publicly to account, with the use of enforcement powers where necessary.

The consultation is looking at the most effective way for the new body to hold the Government to account.

At a minimum, it would have the power to issue "advisory notices", and the consultation is seeking views on what other enforcement mechanisms may be necessary, the Environment Department said.

The Government is also consulting on plans to require ministers to produce and take into account a statutory and comprehensive policy statement setting out how they will apply environmental principles as they develop policy and take action.

Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, said: "As the Prime Minister has made clear, we will not weaken environmental protections when we leave the EU.

"A new Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will ensure core environmental principles remain central to government policy and decision-making.

"This will help us to deliver a Green Brexit and the vision set out in our 25-Year Environment Plan.”

Mr Gove stressed that the Government would only achieve its aims by also creating a strong and objective voice that championed and enforced environmental standards.

"That's why our Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will also create an independent and statutory watchdog. This will hold governments to account for delivering their commitments to the natural world," added the Secretary of State.

The Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will be published in the autumn.