Right now, the government is considering new developments without ensuring the water industry can meet the increased demand for water supply and sewage treatment. At WildFish, we believe this must change.

New development should only move forward when:

1. A sustainable water supply is secured without environmental harm.

2. Modernised infrastructure is in place to adequately treat sewage.

Established in October 2024, the Independent Water Commission will make recommendations to the UK and Welsh Governments to “strengthen the water sector and its regulatory framework”.

From sewage spills to water shortages, our rivers, lakes, and seas are paying the price for regulatory failures above all else. Successive Governments and its regulators have failed to enforce water companies to invest in water sources and sewage capacity.

Within this review, a key focus for us will be how the water sector plans for new developments. We must end the current process where (incredibly) there is no mechanism for ensuring there is water and sewage capacity for any new development. This is something we’ll be watching closely.

We are challenging a planning decision by Buckinghamshire Council for 170 new houses in the village of Maids Moreton in Buckingham. The proposed development could see an already overwhelmed sewage works spew even more untreated sewage into the Great Ouse, one of the longest rivers in England, with a catchment that holds several protected areas and sites of scientific interest.

The case will be heard in the High Court in the coming months and we are making preparations for that now.

We are aware of just how much of a problem sewage capacity is across England and Wales.

As a small charity, it is difficult for us to get involved in every local campaigns. We have chosen the Buckingham case as it illustrates the general crisis in England and Wales.

You can support us by donating or forwarding the details of our campaigns.

We are raising awareness of the threat the Planning and Infrastructure Bill poses to wild fish and their habitats.

Touted as central to the Government’s plan to “get Britain building” and boost economic growth, the Bill comes at a steep environmental cost. If passed, it would strip away environmental protections that have safeguarded nature for generations, putting wild fish and freshwater ecosystems at serious risk.

BBC News: Battle begins over new homes approved in historic village without sewage capacity. Click here to read more.

Times Radio: our in-house solicitor Justin Neal is interviewed by Carole Walker.  Click here to listen again.

Bucks Herald: Legal challenge launched to block 170-home development in Aylesbury Vale over sewage concerns. Click here to read more.

iPaper: Sewage is pouring into our gardens – 150 new homes will only make this worse’. Click here to read more.

WildFish gets High Court green light for planning challenge.

Click here to learn more.

WildFish Launches Photo Campaign to Oppose Threat from Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Click here to learn more.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill: a huge threat to nature and our wild fish.

Click here to learn more.

Click here for a summary of our legal findings.

Click here to read our exchange with 26 local planning authorities.

Click here to read our report on the impact of water stress and the harmful effects of over-abstraction on our declining rivers.

Click here to read the latest research on the impacts of reduced and changing flow.

Click here to read the latest research on the impact of sewage pollution in rivers.

Click here to read our response to the Independent Water Commission.