Housing Development Planning: Water Companies

Adrian Ramsay raises the issue of a need for stronger regulatory systems for fresh water supply, highlighting challenges in managing both too much and too little water at different times of the year.

Described a situation where Southern Water failed to carry out £2 million of improvements as part of a section 106 agreement, highlighting difficulties for councils in justifying development when infrastructure fails.

In his constituency, South West Water promised residents proper sewage treatment but failed to deliver, leaving them with raw sewage issues. Ben Maguire agrees that water companies must be held accountable to ensure infrastructure is in place before homes are built.

Dan Aldridge speaks on the issue of irresponsible water companies and failing regulation causing delays in necessary planning applications, underserving local communities. He calls for a more proactive approach to address such issues. Discusses the impact of austerity cuts on rhyne management in coastal communities and supports increased investment in flood defence work.

Asked if the Department would make water companies statutory consultees in the planning process.

Asked Jess Brown-Fuller about sewage spills in Surrey Heath and agreed that water companies should be included as strategic partners in development, urging for tougher regulation to ensure the delivery of necessary infrastructure.

Water companies are failing to maintain infrastructure, leading to sewage pollution and damaging the local economy. In West Dorset alone, there were over 4,100 sewage spills in 2023. The Poole catchment area has suffered from nitrogen excess, reducing biodiversity.

Calls for more housing but with necessary infrastructure, urging the government to set a target of 150,000 homes for social rent per year. Discusses water infrastructure challenges due to under-investment by private companies, exacerbated by climate change.

Agrees with Helen Morgan on the necessity of making water companies statutory consultees to prevent further exacerbation of sewage infrastructure issues due to new developments.

Thanks everyone for contributions; acknowledges cross-party agreement on issues like local drainage capacity and appropriate planning conditions. Asks the Minister to consider the adoption of schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act.

Discussed the challenges of overwhelmed waste water treatment works and highlighted a constituent's experience with sewage rising in her toilet due to new developments, emphasizing the need for water companies to be treated as strategic partners.

He provided a local perspective from Northern Ireland, discussing the importance of skilled workers and the management of water infrastructure by Northern Ireland Water. He also raised concerns about flooding and environmental regulations.

The Chancellor has imposed a moratorium on new statutory consultees, citing ineffective operation of the system. Emphasises challenges in maintaining water quality due to pollution, climate change, and unsustainable practices.

Asked if the Government should require all unadopted watercourses to be adopted by statute or law, ensuring accountability and addressing historical sewers without immediate developers.

Asked what the Government's reforms will do to encourage water companies to be involved in planning and infrastructure building.

In Didcot during the construction of Great Western Park, major sewage issues arose due to inadequate capacity before significant housing growth. In East Hanney and East Challow, residents face unresolved drainage and sewerage problems with no clear responsibility for remedial work.

Highlighted issues in his constituency where housing developments lack proper sewer and drainage infrastructure, affecting over 3,000 homes. Discussed concerns about water companies' ability to influence the planning process.

Shared a case study from Feniton where sewage backing up into homes was visible evidence of poor infrastructure planning by the water company. Emphasised that better involvement of water companies in early planning stages could prevent such issues.

Inquired about making water companies statutory consultees in local plans and suggested an escrow of funds for long-term issues rather than individual household liability.

Describes a situation in her constituency where new housing developments pose environmental risks to an already flood-prone village. She agrees that water companies must be involved in the planning process.

Supports the need for better regulation, suggesting a single clean water authority to enforce standards on water companies that currently evade regulatory requirements.

She expressed disappointment over the removal of statutory consultees and called for water companies to be required as statutory consultees to address capacity issues in sewerage systems.