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National policy statement for water resources infrastructure
08 July 2025
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
At a Glance
Issue Summary
Emma Hardy is updating the national policy statement for water resources infrastructure to support growth by making planning decisions quicker and easier.
Action Requested
The minister intends to lay non-material amendments to the existing national policy statement, providing clearer links between final water resources management plans and reducing the need for reassessment at the examination stage of a development consent order application. This update will facilitate the delivery of nine new reservoirs and support the Government's plan to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament.
Key Facts
- The national policy statement is being updated within the Government’s first year.
- Growth, as one of the Prime Minister’s five missions, will be supported through quicker planning decisions for water infrastructure.
- Water resources management plans determine additional water resources needs for at least the next 25 years and are revised every five years.
- The update ensures that projects within approved final water resources management plans do not require reassessment at the examination stage of a development consent order application.
- Nine new reservoirs will be delivered as part of this policy statement.
- The Government aims to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliament.
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