Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to review planning consents in the event of emergency drought orders.

Emergency drought orders are short-term measures used during an exceptional shortage of rain where a serious deficiency of water supplies exists. They enable water companies to restrict water use or provide emergency supplies through standpipes or water tanks.

Wider reforms to the water sector will strengthen regional planning by bringing together local authorities, water companies and developers to coordinate action on water resources and housing growth. We are also streamlining infrastructure delivery through planning reform, providing support for stronger supply chains and better regulatory oversight.