Defra is formally kicking off its stakeholder engagement work this month towards the development of a National Policy Statement (NPS) for Water Resources.
The government announced in would deliver this NPS in March and that it would set out the need for nationally significant water supply infrastructure projects in England, with the aim of accelerating the process of providing development consent. Specifically, the NPS will support the delivery of future large supply projects identified in water company water resource management plans.
The project is expected to take up to two years, and Defra is keen to engage widely. Interested parties can apply to be added to the project’s mailing list to be kept up to date on developments by emailing WaterSupplyNPS@defra.gsi.gov.uk.