New planning framework seeks to smooth the path for water infrastructure

(by Karma Loveday)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), setting out its policies for plan-making and decision-making on development proposals in England and how these are expected to be applied.

In terms of water infrastructure, the NPPF seeks to support development in ways which align with wider development and the clean power by 2030 policy.

On plan-making, the Government said planning authorities should engage early with utilities and regulators, to understand network capacity and the need for any additional infrastructure provision. This engagement should take into account the impacts of planned growth, changing consumption patterns and climate change, as well as relevant strategic infrastructure plans. The resulting insights should be used to address potential constraints to development arising from current or anticipated infrastructure shortfalls.

As such, development plans should take into account the location and phasing of planned growth; make provision for necessary water and wastewater infrastructure development; and set out measures to avoid constraints on infrastructure posed by nearby development.

On national decision-making policies for water and wastewater infrastructure, the Government said “substantial weight” should be given to providing sufficient capacity for existing and proposed users, and to improving water quality and reducing water pollution. The NPPF also plainly stated: “Applicants should not be required to demonstrate the need for water infrastructure developments.”

Considering the NPPF as a whole, the Wildlife and Countryside Link nature coalition said the framework “falls short of real ambition and risks weakening important environmental safeguards in the pursuit of short-term growth”. It had called for a planning system that delivers housing and infrastructure alongside nature recovery.

Chief executive Richard Benwell commented: “This NPPF is a missed opportunity, restricting local ambition for nature, and extending the false promise of a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’, which has nothing to offer on sustainability. At a time when the impacts of climate and nature loss are apparent in flood and fire, the Government should be strengthening protection for nature and allocating more space for the critical natural infrastructure that will deliver true sustainability.”