WildFish calls for the government to put an end to unsustainable housebuilding where the sewage works and water resources cannot cope

WildFish has released a report entitled “No Capacity; No development” (linked here) which looks at the gulf between planning including housing development and water resources and sewage. 

Sewage treatment facilities and water supply are under increasing stress which has led to dried up rivers and the release of untreated sewage. At the same time, the Government has been pushing for increased growth and housing which will lead inevitably to more sewage and less water. They have already begun the process to grease the wheels of growth by amending the planning framework (the NPPF) and calling for massive housebuilding targets to be met. 

The government has now published its “Planning and Infrastructure Bill” to make it easier for infrastructure development to be pushed through, new restrictions on legal challenges and proposed changes to the law to restrict the involvement of local communities in decision making for planning applications. 

But more houses means more demand on sewage infrastructure and water resources. 

WildFish’s report discusses the problems with how demand is predicted and the disconnect between water and sewage company planning and development demand and how, in the end, the water company’s role is highly reactive. Part of the difficulty is the fait accompli which water companies say they face as they are under an obligation to connect new built development to their water mains and sewers 

WildFish’s report recommends that the law be changed by amending the Water Industry Act 1991 to allow for water companies to refuse to connect when there is no capacity for sewage treatment and water resource demands. This takes the responsibility away from non-specialist councils and puts the onus on the developer to only make applications where capacity is present.

WildFish also explains that guidance and the NPPF should be amended to say planning permission should be refused where there is no capacity. Importantly, water companies should always be consulted on new housing development and, lastly, the law should be changed to make the developer pay for upgrades to sewage treatment or invest in water resources where there is no capacity. At present, developers make a contribution to be connected to the system – but do not pay for upgrades to sewage works to increase capacity. 

The report can be found here.