Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and (b) properties built on the grey belt have access to sufficient quantities of water for domestic and business use.

Through the Development Consent process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, applicants will undertake water resource assessments for their projects and consultations with water authorities. This ensures that water infrastructure is planned before a Development Consent Order is granted.

In our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, we consulted on a definition of grey belt land. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year that will include a final definition of grey belt land and detail on the operation of the concept.