Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what statutory guidance has been provided to Local Planning Authorities on seeking water companies’ advice on risks to water resources from proposed major housing developments; and if he will make a statement.

Water companies are already statutory consultees on local plans under The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Water supply and quality are considerations in strategic environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal. Sustainability appraisal objectives could include preventing deterioration of current water body status, and seeking opportunities to improve water bodies. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that local planning policies and decisions should prevent new or existing development from contributing to unacceptable levels of water pollution. Development should wherever possible help to improve local environmental conditions such as water quality. The Framework is supported by our on-line planning guidance, revised in July last year, available on GOV.UK. This sets out how planning can ensure water quality and the delivery of adequate water and wastewater infrastructure. The guidance explains how development plans can steer potentially polluting development away from the most sensitive areas, particularly those in the vicinity of drinking water supplies.