Regional planning steering group convenes

(by Karma Loveday)

The first meeting of the steering group convened under the auspices of the Water White Paper to explore options for regional system planning last week.

Along with water minister Emma Hardy and Defra representatives, the group comprised stakeholders including water companies, catchment partnerships, the Environment Agency, local authorities, Ofwat, National Highways, the NFU, Wildlife and Countryside Link, The Rivers Trust, Blueprint for Water and internal drainage boards.

The group will consider issues including where in the country to pioneer the early rollout of regional planning approaches; how the idea can best be applied in different types of catchment; how governance will work in practice; and the role that pre-pipe and nature-based solutions can play.

Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate last week, Hardy shared: “In different areas around the country, those boards will have slightly different compositions, depending on the type of catchment.”