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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to consider introducing measures to ensure that no new housing developments are permitted in areas where the sewage system is already unable to prevent the discharge of raw sewage into neighbouring rivers.

The National Planning Policy Framework expects local planning authorities to plan for the development and infrastructure required in their area, including infrastructure for wastewater and utilities. They should work with other providers, such as sewage companies, to assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure and its ability to meet forecast demands

The Government has made a commitment, as part of its reform package under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, to consult on whether or not we should make water companies statutory consultees on certain planning applications, and if so, how best to do this. It will be important that water companies engage local planning authorities on the right applications at the right time so they can input effectively and not slow down the application process.